Family members grieve at the scene of the car crash into the Willamette River in Portland, Ore., on April 6, 2026. Their loved one, who Portland Police Bureau says is likely deceased, is the only victim from the crash still missing. The family, who chose to not share their names, expressed anger that the rescue mission was called off for the day due to river conditions.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Two people are dead, one person is hospitalized and a fourth person is still missing after crashing into the Willamette River in downtown Portland early Monday morning.
Portland police say a fourth person is still missing and presumed dead.
“This is a heartbreaking incident that has resulted in a tragic loss of life,” PPB Assistant Chief Brian Hughes said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected as we continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this event.”
Caution tape and a city vehicle block off the scene of the car crash into the Willamette River in Portland, Ore., on April 6, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
PPB said early Monday morning, officers saw a car speeding downtown in the wrong direction at about 2 a.m. Officers turned on their overhead lights to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver sped away.
“We have no indication that there was a pursuit involved here,” Hughes said.
Police said the car traveled eastbound on Southwest Harvey Milk Street across Naito Parkway and through Waterfront Park before crashing through a barrier and into the Willamette River.
According to police, the car’s occupants were between the ages of 17 and 20.
Portland Fire & Rescue crews were able to rescue one person early Monday morning by using a cinch buoy. That person was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Rick Graves, a spokesperson with PF&R, said crews scanned the river looking for other potential occupants, but saw none.
Portland Fire and Rescue crew members undock their rescue boat at the scene of the car crash into the Willamette River in Portland, Ore., on April 6, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Rescue teams were able to pinpoint a location where the car may have been, using sonar scanning tools, he said.
According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, dive team deputies recovered two bodies Monday afternoon.
MCSO Lt. Jason Pearce said search conditions in the river were tough.
“What the divers were experiencing was zero visibility in 35 feet of water with a high river flow,” he said. “A search like this is basically on your hands and knees over the size of a football field, which is what they’ve done today.”
Search efforts for the day had stopped by 2 p.m. Deputies will meet Tuesday to reassess river conditions to decide whether or not they’re able to search again.
The crash remains under investigation.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Jason Pearce speaks to press after a car crash into the Willamette River in Portland, Ore., on April 6, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
