UPDATE: Car Crash Victim Dies, Search for Suspect Continues

Portland Police Badge

January 30, 2021 12:00

The driver that was hit in a head-on hit-and-run crash has died at the hospital.

The Portland Police Traffic Division was notified that the driver succumbed to his injuries Friday afternoon. He is identified as Charles J. Patton, 43, of Portland. His family has been notified of his death.

The search for the hit and run driver who ran off after the crash continues. He is also suspected of shooting a bystander who was trying to prevent him from leaving the scene. Suspect information is not being released at this time.

The Major Crash Team continues to investigate the crash, while Assault Detectives are primary investigators of the shooting.

This is the 5th fatal traffic crash and the 8th Major Crash Team activation of 2021.

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###ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW###

A car crash victim is in the hospital with life threatening injuries after a suspect caused a crash, then shot a bystander as he ran away.

On Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 5:25p.m., North Precinct officers were dispatched to an injury crash on North Columbia Boulevard at North Vancouver Avenue. As they responded they learned that someone was shooting a gun. When officers arrived they found a two-car head-on crash, and another the victim with a gunshot wound to the arm. The driver of one of the vehicles was seriously injured. Portland Fire and Rescue and American Medical Response personnel treated the patient. The patient was transported by ambulance to the hospital with serious, life threatening injuries. The shooting victim was transported to the hospital with a serious but non life-threatening injury.

Preliminary information is that after the crash, the male driver of an SUV tried to run away. When bystanders tried to stop him, he shot an adult male bystander. The male suspect and a female accomplice ran off and have not yet been located.

The Portland Police Major Crash Team is investigating the crash, while Assault Unit detectives are pursuing the shooting.

During the investigation, North Columbia Boulevard was shut down in both directions at North Vancouver Avenue.

If anyone has information about this series of events, please e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-0400, or notify Crime Stoppers. Please reference case number 21-25722.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 cash for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous.

Visit the App Store and download P3 Tips to submit secure and anonymous tips.

Online at https://www.p3tips.com/823

Crime Stoppers of Oregon is funded 100% by community donations. To support Crime Stoppers with a donation, please visit http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com/

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