Apparent car attack in Portland neighborhood

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A driver struck at least six pedestrians, killing one, during a series of hit-and-runs that unfolded Monday afternoon over a 15-block stretch of Southeast Portland.

Witnesses and police described a chaotic scene as a man, yet to be publicly identified by police, drove a silver Honda Element on the road and on the sidewalks, plowing into people and cars.

One victim died at the hospital hours after the crash, police confirmed. Five others have non-life-threatening injuries, Portland Fire & Rescue spokesman Rich Chatman said during a press conference Monday afternoon.

Tyler Meyer, 30, said he saw the SUV swerve into his lane on Belmont Street, then strike a cyclist as he turned sharply onto 30th Avenue. Meyer said the suspect, who was speeding and running red lights, then clipped a pedestrian at Stark Street and 15th Avenue, did a U-turn and smashed into two people who became wedged between the SUV and a retaining wall at Stark and 19th Avenue. The driver then ran into an elderly woman on 19th, before doubling back and striking another pedestrian, Meyer said.

“I saw two down jackets just explode and feathers go everywhere once he was on top of them,” Meyer said.

The man eventually tried to run from the scene after crashing his car. Carmon said a group of bystanders saw him and ran after him, holding him back until police arrived.

Police have not yet disclosed any details about the driver or the person who died. Several bystanders and reporters said the Honda Element had Washington license plates.

Larry Wolfe said he had an appointment to meet the person who was killed, a woman in her 70s, at the corner of Washington Street and 19th Avenue. Wolfe told The Oregonian/OregonLive he saw the woman get hit by a car and scream. He said he started walking toward her, then saw the car come back and hit her again. The car then did a U-turn and dragged the woman for some time, Wolfe said.

The driver bolted from his SUV after ramming into an Chevrolet El Camino with a woman inside, Rendon said. The man started running toward Rendon on 17th Avenue.

“He’s coming towards me, running toward my house,” Rendon said. “I grabbed the nearest brick, and with the neighbors, we’re trying to keep him from going anywhere.

Meyer said he also watched the driver run into the El Camino. He said the man attempted to fight bystanders and threw potted plants from nearby homes.

“I told him, ‘I think you just killed a lady up the street,’” Meyer said. “He laughed and said, ‘Ah, that’s too bad.’”

Larry Wolfe said he had an appointment to meet the person who was killed, a woman in her 70s, at the corner of Washington Street and 19th Avenue. Wolfe told The Oregonian/OregonLive he saw the woman get hit by a car and scream. He said he started walking toward her, then saw the car come back and hit her again. The car then did a U-turn and dragged the woman for some time, Wolfe said.

Charles Kuziak said he was trying to comfort one of the victims as she was receiving medical treatment.

“She said the gentleman who hit her came back and hit her a second time and that was the first time I thought to myself this was an intentional thing,” Kuziak said, “And she seemed to know that too. She seemed shaken from the idea that someone was trying to hurt her.”

Portland police have not said whether they believe the suspect intentionally struck the victims.

The driver who killed one person and injured nine others was at times driving at speeds of 50 to 60 mph as he raced through streets in southeast Portland, police said Tuesday.

"Detectives say that the driver's actions did show intent to hit and injure people," police said.

The Portland Police Bureau said in a statement that it doesn't appear Monday's incident was an act of terrorism or the unidentified suspect had bias or any political motivations.

Police identified the person who died as 77-year-old Jean Gerich of Portland. She died of blunt force trauma, according to the state medical examiner.