Wrong-way driver crashes into Willamette River; 1 rescued, 2 bodies recovered, 1 unaccounted for
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) – One person was rescued after police say a car crashed into the Willamette River early Monday morning. Crews have also recovered two bodies from underwater. Police believes there may be one more person unaccounted for.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said it’s believed all occupants of the car are between 17 and 20 years old.
According to police, officers saw a driver going the wrong-way at a high rate of speed in the downtown Portland area just after 2 a.m. Officers tried to stop the driver, but they sped away eastbound on Southwest Harvey Milk Street.
Police said the driver continued through Southwest Naito Parkway and into Waterfront Park, before crashing into the river.
Portland Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Rick Graves said he believes there were four people in the car when it went in the water.
PF&R said crews on a rescue boat found one person in the water and brought them to shore. They were then taken to a hospital with unknown injuries.
Diving crews continued to search for other people and used sonar equipment to check for the car. Officials said crews made nearly 50 passes with sonar equipment and made positive hits near where the car may have been.
They were working in 35 feet of water with “zero visibility” a Portland police spokesperson said.
Anyone with information about the crash should email police at [email protected] attn: TIU and reference case number 26-98006.
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