PPB: Driver hits motorcyclist in apparent road rage crash

A driver is facing assault and other charges after crashing into a motorcyclist on the Sunset Highway in Portland.

The driver, David J. Bumgardner, 60, of Beaverton, was arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, reckless driving, and recklessly endangering another Person.

The motorcyclist, Tha Ouk, 47, of Vancouver, Washington, was hospitalized with serious injuries. He was also served a citation for driving uninsured, careless driving, failure to drive within lane, driving without a motorcycle endorsement, and failure to register motor vehicle.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, at 3:05 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, Central Precinct officers were dispatched to a report of a crash involving a car and a motorcycle on eastbound Highway 26 at the Southwest Sylvan Road overpass. When the officers arrived, they encountered an overturned 2006 Subaru Legacy Outback and a downed 2016 Yamaha motorcycle. The motorcycle rider was seriously injured and was transported to the hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Bumgarden, the Subaru driver, did not report himself to be injured.

Members of the Portland Police Traffic Division and the Major Crimes Team responded to investigate the crash. The preliminary investigation revealed that Ouk, the motorcycle rider, was riding between lanes, which is not legal in Oregon.

Police said that Bumgardner believed that the motorcycle hit his car and kept going. Bumgardner then pulled onto the shoulder and pursued Ouk at high speed. When Ouk slowed for a lighted traffic control sign on the shoulder, Bumgardner was unable to stop, hit the motorcycle, and his car overturned on top of the Ouk. Passing motorists stopped to help and lifted the vehicle enough to free Ouk.

Eastbound Sunset Highway was closed for several hours during the investigation.

An overturned silver Subaru and a downed Yamaha “sport” motorcycle on the freeway. Skid marks, roadway gouges, clothing, and debris can be seen scattered about.