PORTLAND, Ore. — An impaired driver hit a Portland police officer early Sunday morning, the second time in the past week officers were hurt in collisions with impaired drivers.
The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the area of Southeast 124th Avenue and Southeast Powell Boulevard. The officer was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
"Last night another one of our officers was struck by a vehicle while conducting necessary police work," said Portland police chief Danielle Outlaw. "We are fortunate the officer was not hurt worse or killed. These incidents have become way too common. Driving under the influence of intoxicants is unacceptable behavior and not tolerated in our community."
On May 19, two officers were injured when an impaired driver crashed into their patrol vehicle in Southeast Portland.
On Sunday, multiple officers responded to a report of a disturbance at the Lux Hookah Lounge, located at 12436 Southeast Powell Boulevard, at 2:34 a.m. As one of the responding officers was returning to his car, he noticed a Honda Accord driving toward him. Police say the officer tried to avoid getting hit by tucking up against his car, but was struck by the rearview mirror of the Accord.
The driver of the Accord, 22-year-old Carlos Zamora, didn't stop after hitting the officer. He was stopped by other officers a couple blocks away, arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. Zamora faces charges of DUII, hit-and-run, reckless driving and fourth-degree assault.
Portland Police Bureau Vision Zero Effort
From the Portland Police Bureau:
Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs injure and kill thousands of people every year. People consuming alcohol or drugs are urged not to get behind the wheel and should have a sober driver or utilize taxis, rideshare companies or transit so everyone is safe on our streets.
The Portland Police Bureau is committed to working with our partners in government and the community to create safer streets and work towards reducing, and eventually eliminating, traffic fatalities as part of Vision Zero.
To learn more about the City of Portland's Vision Zero effort, please click here.