PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A 21-year-old Battle Ground, Washington, motorcyclist was killed in a crash on northbound Interstate 5 at North Columbia Boulevard during heavy traffic congestion Thursday, June 18, and police say speed and unlawful passing are believed to be factors.
Portland police identified the rider as Shea V. Heintz. His family has been notified, police said.
Officers from the Portland Police Bureau responded at 5:01 p.m. to a report of a crash on northbound I-5 at North Columbia Boulevard. Police said community members attempted lifesaving measures before Emergency Medical Services arrived, evaluated the rider and determined the motorcyclist was dead.
No additional injuries were reported.
Police said the preliminary investigation found traffic was moving between 20 and 30 mph at the time of the crash.
Investigators said a red 2009 Hyundai Elantra sedan was changing lanes from the left lane to the middle lane when a black 2015 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle was lane-splitting between lanes at a speed “significantly faster than the pace of traffic.”
Police said the motorcyclist struck the sedan and then hit the rear driver-side corner of a tractor-trailer in the middle lane.
Speed and unlawful motorcycle passing under Oregon law are believed to be factors, police said. No arrests have been made and no citations have been issued.
The involved driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, police said.
The crash prompted a closure of northbound I-5 at the time between North Lombard Street and North Columbia Boulevard for a Traffic Division Major Crash Team investigation, with traffic diverted onto North Lombard Street.
Anyone with information who has not already spoken to police is asked to submit a tip through the police online portal and reference case No. 26-177125.
