PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland police say they are going through a tough week following two fatal motorcycle crashes.PPB’s traffic unit responded to a crash on Monday at NE 24th and Burnside. A motorcycle crashed into an SUV, with the rider succumbing to their injuries. The next night on NE Airport Way, PPB responded to a solo motorcycle crash where the rider died at the scene. Portland Police say they are seeing an increase in motorcycle-related incidents and collisions compared to 2025.
So far for 2026, PPB has responded to 24 fatal collisions – 10 of those being motorcycle/gas scooter crashes. In 2025, PPB saw only eight motorcycle fatalities the entirety of 2025. Because the summer season is considered motorcycle season because of the warmer weather and better road conditions, Washington State Police are eyeing riders not practicing safe driving. Trooper Dakota Russell is the Public Information Officer for WSP’s District 5, which covers Clark County. Russell said they are in the middle of their initiative to crack down on dangerous driving for both riders and car drivers.
Clark County so far this summer has had a total of 13 motorcycle collisions, none of which were fatal. Russell said while they hope to keep that number low, he knows it takes a united effort on the road to keep riders safe. “We want them to obey the speed limit laws, but we also want the motoring public that are in vehicles to be more cautious of motorcycles that are out on the road, as they are harder to see,” Russell said. “We need to pay more attention whenever we’re driving.”…