Portland police identify man killed on I-5 near I-84 interchange; investigation finds no impairment

Victim identified after early-morning crash near central Portland freeway interchange

A pedestrian who died after being struck on Interstate 5 near the Interstate 84 interchange has been identified as Michael Scott American Horse, 45, Portland police said. The crash occurred in the early hours of Monday, February 2, 2026, and the victim later died at a hospital after being transported from the scene.

The collision was reported at 4:09 a.m. on northbound I-5 at the exit to eastbound I-84, just north of the Southeast Water Avenue exit. Officers responded from the Central Precinct. The driver involved remained at the scene.

Major Crash Team response and freeway impacts

The Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team responded to investigate. During the investigation, eastbound I-84 was closed from northbound I-5, while access to I-84 eastbound remained available via southbound I-5.

Police said the public information officer did not respond to the scene and that additional information would be released when appropriate.

What investigators have said so far

In an update issued Thursday, February 5, 2026, investigators said they did not detect any sign of impairment or criminal conduct by the involved driver. Police said the victim’s family has been notified. No additional details about the circumstances leading up to the pedestrian being on the interstate were released.

• Date and time: 4:09 a.m., Monday, February 2, 2026

• Location: Northbound I-5 at the exit to eastbound I-84, just north of the Southeast Water Avenue exit

• Victim identified: Michael Scott American Horse, 45

• Investigative finding disclosed: No detected impairment or criminal conduct by the driver

Request for public information

Police are asking anyone with information who has not already spoken with investigators to email the bureau’s tip line and reference case number 26-31872, directing the message to the Traffic Investigations Unit.

Police said nothing further will be released at this time.