PORTLAND, Ore. — A hit-and-run crash that killed a 26-year-old man in Northeast Portland happened after a confrontation over fireworks, Portland police said.
The deadly crash happened on June 29 on Northeast 33rd Drive and Northeast Elrod Road in Portland's Sunderland neighborhood. On July 3, police identified the man who died as Travis Philmlee Jr.
Just before midnight, one or more people inside a "lifted" white pickup truck were throwing fireworks onto the street up and down Northeast 33rd Drive, according to police.
Philmlee was nearby with a group of people inside RVs. They got out and confronted the person throwing fireworks. A person from the group got into a vehicle, described as a black or silver sedan, and drove after the pickup truck. The driver of the pickup truck swerved to avoid Philmlee, but the driver of the pursuing sedan struck and killed him, police said.
Portland police's Traffic Investigations Unit is looking for the passengers of the pickup truck and the driver of the sedan. Anyone with information is asked to send an email titled "attn:TIU" to crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-171259.
Since the start of 2023, 12 pedestrians have died in Portland, including Philmlee, according to police. His death also marks the 31st traffic fatality in the city so far this year.
This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.
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