Updated
Updated · Fox 12 Oregon · Jun 21
Shea Heintz, 21, Dies in I-5 Motorcycle Crash After Unlawful Passing
Updated
Updated · Fox 12 Oregon · Jun 21

Shea Heintz, 21, Dies in I-5 Motorcycle Crash After Unlawful Passing

1 articles · Updated · Fox 12 Oregon · Jun 21

Summary

  • Portland police identified the rider killed Thursday as 21-year-old Shea Heintz of Battleground after a northbound I-5 crash in heavy traffic near Lombard Street.
  • Police said Heintz was riding a 2015 Kawasaki Ninja between lanes at a significantly higher speed than traffic moving 20 to 30 mph when he hit a Hyundai Elantra changing from the left lane to the middle lane, then struck a tractor-trailer.
  • Investigators determined speed and unlawful motorcycle passing were factors in the crash; no one had been cited or arrested as of Saturday.
  • All northbound I-5 lanes between Lombard Street and Columbia Boulevard stayed closed until 10:30 p.m. Thursday, and police asked witnesses to contact investigators under case 26-177125.

Insights

The motorcyclist broke the law, but could the car driver also be held responsible for the fatal lane change?
As motorcycle deaths rise, what can Oregon do beyond blaming riders to make its highways safer for everyone?