This just in from the Portland Police Bureau (apologies for the brevity but I just landed in Las Vegas at Interbike. I’ll update the story when I can):
PORTLAND POLICE INVESTIGATE TWO BIKE RIDERS STRUCK BY THE SAME VEHICLE
At approximately 8:00 a.m. this morning, September 21, 2010, Portland Police responded to an accident involving a bike rider who was struck by a vehicle in the area of northeast 1st Avenue and northeast Multnomah Street. The vehicle was described as a silver Subaru WRX. The vehicle did not have a rear plate and may have a temporary sticker in the back window. Witnesses said there was also a green sticker in the back window similar to a “Monster” drink type sticker.
The male bike rider suffered minor injuries in the accident and the Subaru fled the scene. There was vehicle damage to the Subaru from the collision with the male bike rider. The Subaru is missing the right front head light, which was left at the scene.Portland Police Traffic officers are investigating the possibility this was an intentional hit and run of the male bike rider. Shortly after this accident, witnesses said this vehicle attempted to leave the area and hit another bike rider in the area of northeast 1st Avenue underneath the Interstate-5 Freeway overpass. The second victim is a female bike rider who was transported to an area hospital.
The Portland Police Traffic Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the driver of this vehicle. The driver was described as a dark complected male, 18 to 20 years of age. Anyone seeing this vehicle is asked to call 911 and anyone with additional information about these accidents or vehicle is asked to call the Traffic Division at 503 823-2103.
More information to follow as this investigation continues.
UPDATE, 11:27 a.m.:
The location of the first collision involving the Subaru and bike rider has been corrected to northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard and northeast Lloyd Boulevard. After this first collision, the vehicle fled the scene northbound on northeast 1st Avenue and westbound on northeast Multnomah Street which is not a through street. The Subaru turned around, and upon exiting the area struck the second female bike rider at northeast 1st Avenue and northeast Multnomah Street.
The male bike rider had minor injuries and has been identified as 47 year-old John Lieber. The female victim bike rider is still being treated at an area hospital for more serious, but non-life threatening injuries. She is expected to be released today and her name is not available at this time.
After further investigation, Traffic Officers learned the vehicle light left at the scene was a 5″ diameter front “fog” type light, and not a head light as first reported. The Portland Police Traffic Division Officers continue to work on this investigation.