Man Killed, Driver Charged in Alleged Hit-and-run Accident on NE 100th in Portland, OR
Portland, OR -- June 7, 2022, one person was killed after an accident where a truck hit an electric bike on NE 100th, then allegedly fled.
Officials reported that the incident took place at around 1:30 p.m. at NE 100th Avenue and NE Glisan Street.
Investigators said that a man was on an electric bike traveling along the road when police say a flatbed truck hit the bike, then reportedly left the scene.
The man on the bike succumbed to fatal injuries due to the accident. Police say they identified the truck driver as Kenlly Leyvachi, who has been arrested for first-degree manslaughter, reckless driving, and hit-and-run.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Alleged Hit-and-run Accident on NE 100th in Portland
It's not my place to say whether or not these allegations are true. But it is important to understand what those allegations can mean for victims and families. It's not always as simple as just the accused driver having their day in court. Folks still deserve all the help they can get through the legal system, and it's even possible the driver isn't the only person who needs to be held responsible.
The vehicle described in these preliminary reports is one which could potentially be used for commercial purposes. These reports don't really specify the timing with which authorities identified and arrested the driver. This is concerning because I've seen situations where a driver's company knew that they were involved in an accident yet did not come forward immediately. Instead, they took steps to minimize their responsibility--sometimes they even did their best to hide their involvement altogether.
Now, I can't say if anything like that happened here, but there's a big difference between a truck driver being reckless on their own and a whole company willing to shirk responsibility for someone losing their life. It's important to ensure there are thorough investigations into these possibilities so the victim's loved ones at least know they're getting the full story.
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