Driver arrested after fleeing police and crashing into Multnomah County patrol SUV in Northeast Portland

Overnight incident began as a reported police elude in East Portland

A driver was taken into custody early Saturday, January 31, 2026, after a series of events that began with reports of a vehicle fleeing officers in East Portland and ended in a crash with an occupied Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office patrol SUV, authorities said.

Emergency dispatchers notified law enforcement around 2 a.m. that a car had fled from Portland Police in the area of Northeast Glisan Street and Northeast 148th Avenue. A short time later, two sheriff’s deputies in a partner vehicle located the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver immediately accelerated away, and deputies did not pursue, instead broadcasting the last known direction of travel.

Spike strips were deployed; vehicle continued into another Northeast Portland area

Police later located the vehicle and used spike strips in an attempt to stop it. Despite the tire-deflation device, the vehicle continued moving and entered the area of Northeast Fremont Street and Northeast 102nd Avenue.

Authorities said the driver then lost control while turning onto Northeast 102nd Avenue and struck the front of a sheriff’s patrol vehicle. The patrol SUV was occupied at the time of the collision.

Injuries reported as non-serious; investigation remains focused on sequence of events

Neither deputy inside the patrol SUV was reported to have suffered serious injuries. The driver was arrested and held in custody, though officials did not immediately release a full booking profile or a complete list of charges in the initial public summary of the incident.

The case highlights the operational distinction between attempting a traffic stop and engaging in an active pursuit. In this instance, deputies reported attempting a stop, then discontinuing any pursuit activity while continuing to communicate the vehicle’s direction. Police later used spike strips, a common measure intended to slow and ultimately immobilize a fleeing vehicle while reducing the need for prolonged high-speed pursuit.

Key locations referenced in the incident included Northeast Glisan Street and Northeast 148th Avenue, and later Northeast Fremont Street and Northeast 102nd Avenue.

What is confirmed so far

• The initial elude was reported shortly after 2 a.m. on January 31, 2026.
• Sheriff’s deputies attempted a traffic stop, and the driver fled; deputies reported they did not pursue.
• Police later deployed spike strips, but the vehicle continued traveling.
• The driver lost control and collided with the front of an occupied sheriff’s patrol SUV.
• No serious injuries to the deputies were reported; the driver was arrested.

Authorities have not publicly detailed the driver’s condition, any additional injuries, or whether further charges are anticipated as the investigation develops.