PORTLAND, Ore. — A notorious stretch of road known for street racing and takeovers in North Portland was the scene of a fatal car crash late Saturday night.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said that two people died and the driver of another car was seriously injured after two cars crashed on North Marine Drive just after 11 p.m. on Saturday night. Police said one of the cars caught fire — the two people that died were in the car that was on fire.
Traffic investigators confirmed that there was "street racing activity happening in the area" before the crash. Alcohol and speed are being investigated as contributing to the crash.
According to dispatch audio on Broadcastify, dispatchers were heard saying, "Report of 2 racers crashed. One car completely smashed up and another on fire." Moments later, dispatchers followed that up saying, "There's still about 25 street racers in the area."
Police said that most of the people who were present when the crash happened took off before police could talk with them.
Police have not yet released names of those that died and have not said if the injured driver faces any charges.
For years, the area along North Marine Drive, with its long stretch of road, has been a popular spot for street racing. Saturday night's fatal crash was not the first time someone has died or been seriously injured there.
In July, a 21-year-old motorcyclist from Canby was killed when he crashed into the side of an SUV during an illegal street race event.
Street racing is something that PPB, the city, and the state have attempted to crack down on for years.
Most recently, in late December during a two day enforcement mission, Portland police arrested 19 people and towed 21 vehicles.
Last year, legislators passed and Governor Tina Kotek signed off on Senate Bill 615, which imposes harsher penalties for street racers which include a jail sentence of up 364 days and or a $6,250 fine. If a person is convicted of the same crime within five years it then becomes a Class C felony with a maximum of five years in jail and, or up to a $125,000 fine.
In late January, the Oregon Criminal Justice System gave the city of Portland a $100,000 grant to help stop street racing. According to the Oregonian, that money would allow police to double the number of enforcement missions than it did last year.