Victim of collision during pro-Trump ‘cruise rally’ seeks witnesses



Amid the chaos of the pro-Trump “Cruise Rally” on Saturday August 29th, video emerged from journalist Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) that showed a bicycle lodged under the front axle of a BMW SUV. Now the owner of the bicycle is seeking justice and needs witnesses to come forward.

The footage shocked many who saw it because the worst outcome was feared: That a person was seriously injured in the collision. Fortunately the bike’s owner was walking the bike prior to the collision.

According to a lawyer working with the victim, the motor vehicle driver attempted to flee the scene before they realized they were dragging a bicycle.

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Here’s how the victim’s lawyer says it happened:

“At about 8 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2020, a bicyclist walked their bike eastbound through a crosswalk on the south side of the intersection of SW 13th and Washington. As they were walking with the “WALK” signal, they were struck by a motor vehicle turning left from westbound Washington onto southbound 13th. The bicyclist sustained injuries for which they received treatment at the scene, and, later, at urgent care. The motor vehicle operator attempted to leave the scene, but was impeded by the bicycle stuck underneath the front of their vehicle, which they dragged several dozen feet from the point of impact.”

If you saw this happen or have any other photos, video or information about it, please contact Chris Thomas at cthomas@tcnf.legal.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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David Hampsten
David Hampsten
4 years ago

Any word on the bicycle’s condition? Make, model, and year?

Dagny Taggart
Dagny Taggart
4 years ago

Crimes are never “clear-cut” from a media description. There is always more to the story. Did the cyclist intentionally try to stop the driver so the mob could attack them? That was the usual procedure at the Trump caravan rally.

No charges – it’s driver’s word against the cyclist who was probably dumb enough to try to stop the car. Fortunately it sounds like the cyclist suffered no serious injuries – you don’t go to urgent care for serious injuries.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

Hit and run involving injuries is a Class C felony, so I’m surprised at how casually the police are treating the suspect. Its like they are having a friendly chat about the weather. Quite the contrast compared to the previous account of the cyclist who got body tackled.

Chris I
Chris I
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

I’m not surprised.

Hello, Kitty
Hello, Kitty
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

It’s almost like the driver hadn’t been driving back and forth in a closed area taunting the police.

rain panther
rain panther
4 years ago
Reply to  Hello, Kitty

No, just driving down the street with someone’s bicycle wedged under their SUV.

Sheesh.

Hello, Kitty
Hello, Kitty
4 years ago
Reply to  rain panther

What is your complaint, exactly? That the police were able to get the driver to comply just by talking to him? I want that to be their first resort approach in every case.

rain panther
rain panther
4 years ago
Reply to  Hello, Kitty

Comply with what? A stern talking-to?

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
4 years ago

MAGA – buy a BMW!

Toby Keith
Toby Keith
4 years ago

MAGA’s really aren’t into BMW suvs. That’s more your garden variety Goose Hollow Democrat.

Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy
4 years ago

Cyclists have always been regarded as a very annoying minority by the local police departments. They will never allow a motorist to be cited for abusing a cyclist even with witnesses defending the cyclist. Only been riding in PDX area since 1953.