UPDATE: Man Dies of Injuries Sustained in October 6 Crash with PPB Vehicle (Photo)

November 25, 2023 10:59

  Follow @PortlandPolice

A man has died of injuries sustained in an October crash that also left two Portland Police Officers injured.

On Friday, November 24, 2023, the Portland Police Traffic Investigations Unit was notified that the driver of the stolen Kia, Gilberth A. Colli-Garma, 37, of Portland, died of injuries sustained in the crash. The incident is under investigation.

Both officers have returned to duty, although the trainee officer is on modified duty as he continues to recover from his injuries.

This death will bring the tally of total traffic related fatalities to 66 this year. That is a higher figure than the Portland fatal crashes counted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA’s count excludes crashes involving suicide, medical events, private property, non-public roadways, non-motor vehicles, and deaths that happen more than 30 days after a crash.

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

Two Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers and two burglary suspects went to the hospital after the suspects’ vehicle collided with a police vehicle in Southeast Portland.

On Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2:57a.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to a report of a burglary at a book store in the 16400 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard. Responding officers located a suspect vehicle, a white 2016 Kia Optima, leaving the scene and initiated a police stop near Southeast 136th Avenue and Southeast Holgate Boulevard. The driver did not pull over and eluded police. Due to policy restrictions, officers did not pursue, but began to coordinate intervention techniques. At 3:15a.m., the suspect vehicle and a police vehicle collided at Southeast Holgate Boulevard at Southeast 111th Avenue.

Two officers, a Field Training Officer and a Trainee Officer, were in the 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility (a sport utility crossover) and were injured. Both were transported to the hospital by ambulance. Two suspects in the Kia, an adult male driver and adult female passenger, were also injured and transported to the hospital by ambulance. The driver’s injuries are considered life threatening. The passenger was seriously hurt, but her injuries are not considered life threatening. The Kia had been reported stolen out of a Southeast Portland driveway on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

The injured officers were treated and released from the hospital, and are now recovering at home.

The Portland Police Traffic Division Major Crash Team responded to the scene to investigate the crash, and the intersection was closed until about 9:25a.m. The intersection is now reopened to traffic. If anyone has information about this crash and has not already spoken to police, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn:Traffic Division and reference case number 23-262055.

Officers confirmed a burglary took place at the bookstore. That investigation remains ongoing.

“This was a terrible crash, and I’m grateful that the officers involved were not hurt worse,” said Chief Chuck Lovell. “This underscores the dangerous nature of policework, and I’m extending my gratitude to our patrol division, which works in our community every day and every night dedicated to public service. I wish these officers a speedy recovery. I offer sincere thanks to all the PPB members who responded to assist and investigate the crash as well as the paramedics, firefighters, and hospital medical staff for their care of our members.”

Photo descriptions:
1.Black Portland Police SUV with significant passenger side damage and a missing right front wheel
2. Side view of heavily damaged PPB vehicle, passenger side rear door removed
3. Nighttime view of crash scene, white Kia sedan with heavy front end damage, police vehicle seen in a yard in the background, police lights flashing

###PPB###

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