Driver in deadly Portland car rampage intended to hit and injure people, police say



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Portland, Ore., Police said they found no evidence of terrorism, bias or political motivation in a series of hit and run crashes in which 10 people were beaten and one died on Monday, but the actions of the driver show that he intended to hit them. .

Portland Police have not released the name of the suspect, who was arrested after he crashed a Honda Element and was “cornered” by locals. He was in the hospital on Tuesday.

“The detectives did not find any evidence that it was an act of terrorism. The detectives did not find any indicators of bias, nor do they believe it is politically motivated,” police said in a press release Tuesday. “Detectives say the driver’s actions showed intent to hit and injure people.”

Killed was Jean Gerich, 77, grandmother of five children. Her family said in a police statement that she was a cancer survivor who had lived in Portland for 48 years.

“Jean Gerich was not an anonymous victim. She was a loving mother of two. She was a proud five-year-old grandmother, aged 4 to 16. She would have been 78 in twelve days. She won. cancer five years ago, ”his family said. in a statement released Tuesday by the police.

“She received her first vaccine shot last week and was thrilled to be stepping out into the world again,” her family said.

Police said the name and charges of the alleged driver would be released once he is booked. Police said a blood sample was taken and sent to a lab.

Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell called Monday’s events “senseless acts of violence.” He said the department has expressed condolences to Gerich’s family and the injured.

Witnesses said the suspect was driving erratically and narrowly missed a person, and the first pedestrian who was struck was hit at around 1:02 p.m.

The driver hit 10 people in all, as well as cars, police said. Seven were pedestrians and two were cyclists. One of the victims did not remember whether she was in or outside her vehicle when she was hit, police said.

Police said most of the victims sustained minor injuries.

The crime scene spans over a dozen blocks. From where police said the first person was hit to where he crashed is about a mile.

A police spokesperson said on Monday that the vehicle was driven on the street and also on the sidewalks.

Mayor Ted Wheeler called the disturbing incident and thanked “the many people who have gone above and beyond in responding to this incident”, from police and first responders to witnesses and those who intervened to help apprehend the suspect.

Gerich’s family also said they were grateful for the Good Samaritans who were at the scene. They asked for privacy.



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