Officer Injured After Being Struck by a Car During Foot Pursuit

Portland Police Badge

April 29, 2023 17:19

A Portland Police Officer is recovering from a broken ankle suffered when he collided with a car on I-205 while chasing a fleeing suspect, who was later arrested.

On Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 10:32a.m., East Precinct officers saw a suspicious vehicle occupied in the area of Southeast 97th Avenue and Southeast Glenwood Street. The vehicle, which was parked, was reported stolen. The driver ran from officers and made his way onto the I-205 freeway near Southeast Woodstock Boulevard. Traffic stopped as the suspect ran across the lanes of traffic three times trying to evade police. An East Precinct officer following the suspect was struck by one of the cars on southbound I-205 at low speed, knocking the officer to the ground.

Officers stopped to assist the injured officer. At the same time, other officers contained the suspect, who surrendered only after he was surrounded.

The officer was conscious and breathing at the scene. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital for an evaluation. He was treated for a broken ankle, scrapes, and bruises. He has been released and is recovering at home.

The adult female driver involved immediately stopped and cooperated with officers. The investigation revealed that the driver stopped for the fleeing suspect and did not see the pursuing officer when she started to pull forward. Her 2019 Ford Fusion 4-door sedan was moving at less than 10 miles per hour when the collision happened. She was not impaired. She was not arrested or issued any citations.

The suspect was also transported to the hospital by ambulance with breathing problems and after saying he swallowed drugs. After he was treated and released, Norman R. Kurth, 33, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Escape in the Third Degree, Attempt to Elude on Foot, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and an arrest warrant. The stolen car was recovered.

“I’m relieved to hear that the officer involved in this incident will be okay and I wish him a speedy recovery,” said Chief Chuck Lovell. “This is another reminder of the hazards that law enforcement officers face daily as they serve our community.”

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