Two North Precinct Police Officers were in their marked patrol cars on N. Greeley Avenue just south of N. Dekum Street at midnight, Sept. 1, when both their vehicles were side-swiped by an SUV. The impact severely damaged the SUV and both police vehicles.
Their overhead police lights were not activated. The officers were just wrapping up a call and about to drive away when the driver of a white 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe sideswiped both vehicles.
The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured. The officers were treated on scene by Portland Fire & Rescue and both later transported to the hospital by police vehicle. One officer suffered a concussion and neck pain and the other had an injured shoulder.
The driver of the Chevrolet was arrested at the scene and an officer from the Traffic Division conducted an impaired driving investigation. After the investigation, officers booked the Chevrolet driver, Charlotte L. West, 47, of Portland, into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Assault in the Fourth Degree (2 counts).
All three damaged vehicles were towed.
“I wish our officers the best in their recovery from this crash,” said Chief Bob Day. “This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day as they serve our community. And, I hope it’s a reminder to everyone not to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.”
Drink responsibly and remember buzzed driving is drunk driving. PPB would like to remind the public that drug-impaired driving is just as dangerous (and illegal) as alcohol-impaired driving.