UPDATE #2: Next of Kin Located for Man Struck by MAX Train (Photo)

July 01, 2021 14:32

Within hours of putting out a request for information, family of John Rutherford have been located thanks to a news report. The Portland Police Bureau is grateful for the help from the press and the public.

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The person that was struck by the MAX train on June 5th is identified as John Andrew Rutherford, 49, of Portland.

The Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County Medical Examiner?s Office have attempted to contact Mr. Rutherford?s next-of-kin and have not been successful. Investigators are requesting assistance from the community with next-of-kin contact information. The attached photograph is being included in an effort to help identify next of kin.

Those that have information may contact Officer Garrett Dow at 503-823-5070 or Garrett.Dow@portlandoregon.gov . The public may also contact the Multnomah County Medical Examiner?s Office at 503-988-0055.

The Portland Police Bureau would like to thank the many witnesses who contacted investigators to report what they saw that day. The investigation is ongoing.

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A man is deceased after being struck by a MAX train along I-84 after he was involved in an earlier trespassing incident.

On Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 12:24p.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to a report of suspicious circumstances at a home in the 8600 block of Northeast Broadway. A caller reported that a man had walked into her home. The victim was working upstairs and said the suspect came all the way upstairs and stood over her. She demanded that he leave, but he only complied when the victim's husband and sons came to her aid.

An officer located the suspect in the 9000 block of Northeast Schuyler Street. When the officer asked the suspect to stop, he did not comply. The officer followed at a distance until more officers could arrive. Once they had more officers, the suspect stopped and was arrested. Officers had him evaluated by paramedics for some preexisting minor injuries, but he refused medical attention. Due to booking restrictions, he could not be transported to jail. The officer issued him a criminal citation for Criminal Trespass in the First Degree and an unrelated warrant (citation in lieu of custody). He was then released.

At 2:31p.m., officers were called to Interstate-84 at about Northeast 68th Avenue on a report of a male walking in traffic. Numerous callers said that he had a large rock and a pipe in this hands and were swinging them at passing cars. Callers reported him in both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the freeway. As officers were trying to get traffic stopped so they could approach, they received updated information that he had run in front of a passing MAX train.

Officers located him deceased. They confirmed it was the same subject from the earlier trespassing call.

Transit Police were not available, so Portland Police are primary investigators. The Portland Police Major Crash Team responded to investigate. Two lanes of traffic on I84 were closed but have since been reopened. If anyone witnessed any part of this incident and has not talked to officers, please contact traffic crash investigator Officer Garrett Dow at Garrett.Dow@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5070. Please reference case number 21-152466.

The involved person's identity will be released after next of kin is notified of his death.

Photo description: Crash investigation scene looking west on I84. A Portland Police patrol vehicle is in the foreground and a police motorcycle and command vehicle are in the background. To the right is a stopped light rail train with officers and transit officials working the scene.

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