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Portland’s Most Dangerous Intersections

For Portland drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, moving through the city is certainly more risky in some places than others. In fact, just 4% of Portland’s intersections accounted for more than 65% of all pedestrian fatalities over a 10-year period. Anyone moving about in the area east of 38th Avenue on the city’s east side is going to be in the part of the city that houses all 10 of the most dangerous intersections in Portland. If you’ve been injured in one of these intersections, you may need a personal injury lawyer in Portland.

All are either four or five-lane thoroughfares. And when the statistics are tallied, two roads in particular are gaining the kind of reputation and notoriety no area wants. However, 82nd Avenue and 122nd Avenue rank as the most dangerous places for drivers, with Powell Boulevard not far behind, and Stark Street is rated the most dangerous intersection for pedestrians.

As sad as the reading may be, a team of reputable and experienced car accident lawyers in Portland felt it important to give people an idea of where they need to take extra care when driving, walking or cycling on the city streets. With that in mind, we present a map of the most dangerous intersections in Portland and list them here.

  1. S.E. Powell Boulevard and 82nd Avenue. Officials say talking about crashes at this intersection “is like talking about raindrops in April.” In 2009, a lady entered the intersection incorrectly and ended up driving her car into the side of a building on the corner of this notorious junction. S.E. Division Street and 122nd Avenue. S.E. Division Street has been the scene of a number of fatal accidents at or near the intersection with 122nd Avenue, including in March, 2007; January, 2003, and September, 2002.
  2.  S.E. Division Street and 122nd Avenue. This is the first of six entries in the “Top 10 No One Wants to Be Part Of” for 122nd Avenue, and S.E. Division Street seems particularly lethal for cyclists. Two cyclists were victims of hit-and-run accidents on S.E. Division Street in the first five days of 2011 alone. In August, a Canadian-born cyclist was killed in another hit-and-run on S.E. Division Street.
  3.  S.E. Division Street and 82nd Avenue. In March, 2006, this was the scene of a fatal accident, and 82nd Avenue has a notorious record of drivers running red lights, causing multi-vehicle pile ups.
  4.  S.E. Stark Street and 122nd Avenue. Drivers beware! While this intersection is particularly lethal, nowhere along S.E. Stark Street can be counted on as being a safe place for people in cars, on bikes or afoot. In September, 2011, Marinela Stothoff ran a red light at this junction, hit a patrol car and was thrown from her own vehicle. On July 4th, 2007, Dannie Price was killed in the crosswalk of the same intersection by a hit-and-run driver later identified as Florentino Garcia. Less than 24 hours later, a two-car collision less than 50 feet from the intersection sent two people to the hospital.
  5. N.E. Halsey and 122nd Avenue. October seems to be a bad month to enter this particular intersection, with fatalities registered for both October, 2001, and October, 2003.
  6. N.E. Glisan and 122nd Avenue. In August of this year, a cyclist was seriously injured when his bike collided with a Kia Sportage as it entered this infamous junction. Two years ago, in August, 2009, a man driving another Kia Sportage deliberately reversed his car into cyclist Michael Luther, just a few feet from the intersection of N.E. Glisan and 122nd Avenue. In the same month, 52-year-old cyclist James Wagner was killed while cycling on N.E. 122nd Avenue near the Glisan intersection.
  7. S.E. Powell Boulevard and 122nd Avenue. Fatalities have been recorded on or near this intersection from December, 2000; March, 2004, and May, 2007.
  8. S.E. Powell Boulevard and 174th Avenue. Among the many accidents which have led to serious injuries at or near this intersection was a hit-and-run in March of this year.
  9. S.E. Powell Boulevard and 39th Avenue. In February, 2010, a 93-year-old lady died trying to cross the busy intersection.
  10.  S.E. Powell Boulevard and 92nd Avenue. In January, 2002, a driver was killed in this intersection. In May, 2008, a pedestrian crossing S.E. Powell, not far from the intersection with 92nd Avenue, was hit with such force, they were thrown about 60 feet.

If you’re an Oregon driver, cyclist or pedestrian, and you’ve suffered an injury that wasn’t your fault at any of these notorious hotspots, or anywhere else in Oregon, don’t hesitate. After you’ve received the medical help you need, contact a knowledgeable Portland personal injury lawyer for advice.