Portland murder hit and run suspect charged with murder

An Oregon man who prosecutors say intentionally crashed his vehicle into pedestrians and cyclists, killing a grandmother of five and injuring others, was charged Wednesday with murder and other counts accusation.

A motive in the rampage that began when a person was hit on Monday afternoon was unclear, but police said the driver’s actions showed an intention to hit and injure people.

Paul Rivas, 64, has been charged with one count of second degree murder, seven counts of dereliction of duty as a driver and six counts of second degree assault, district attorney said Multnomah County Mike Schmidt in a statement.

Rivas appeared in court on Wednesday and a not guilty plea was entered in his name, the prosecutor’s office said. He was named a public defender who declined to comment on Wednesday night.

Killed in the rampage was Jean Gerich, 77, who was hit by a Honda Element, which then turned around and went to the sidewalk, hitting her a second time, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Rivas was arrested after crashing his Honda Element, fleeing on foot and surrounded by passers-by, police said.

After questioning witnesses, police “learned that Rivas appeared to have deliberately attempted to hit nearby vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians by making a detour towards them on the roadway and on the sidewalk,” the prosecutor’s office said. district in the press release. After each crash, the driver ran away, he said.

Rivas told police after his arrest he was driving a Honda Element, and he admitted he was surrounded and stopped after running over it, but gave a series of hit-and-run explanations, according to probable cause affidavit.

They understood that he had had brake problems and that he was looking for a store; that an element of similar appearance could have affected them; and that he struck a cyclist, but called it an emergency maneuver to avoid a more serious accident, according to the affidavit.