he was nearly hit by the car, said the driver "gunned the motor" as it sped at him

[Mike Mercury]

3 persons hospitalized after apparent hit-and-run in downtown Portland
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/i...n_downtow.html

By The Oregonian/OregonLive

Three women were hospitalized Friday morning following an apparent hit-and-run at Southwest Sixth Avenue and Montgomery Street in downtown Portland, according to witnesses at the scene.

One woman is in critical condition at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, a spokesperson said. Another is in serious condition and the third is in fair condition. Police say there may be a fourth victim who left the scene.

The incident occurred at the Portland State University Urban Center, a hub that houses university departments, eateries and is the location of a MAX station and several bus stops.

Police said the women were walking along the east sidewalk of Sixth Avenue when they were struck.

Several witnesses say the vehicle was a blue, mid-sized SUV. Portland officers are searching the area for a 2005 Mazda Tribute, with front-end damage and a leaking radiator.

Christopher Bond told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he was nearly hit by the vehicle and said the driver "gunned the motor" as it sped toward him after already hitting three people.

Patrol Sgt. Pat Kelly said the driver plowed onto the sidewalk and “really banged up a lot of people.’’

Investigators are pulling video from a nearby transit office to see if it captured the crash. Police are asking witnesses who recorded video at the scene or businesses that may have captured security footage to call the non-emergency line, 503-823-3333.

Police have blocked the intersection and TriMet says MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines are disrupted. Shuttle buses will serve riders between the Rose Quarter and Southwest Jackson Street.

Portland Fire and Rescue in a tweet said the intersection should be closed for the next four hours at least.

There were articles of clothing on the sidewalk following the incident — athletic shoes lay on the ground next to a shirt.

Matt Ritzi, 33, who's visiting Portland, said he was walking to Portland State University from the waterfront when he turned onto Sixth Avenue and saw the aftermath.

"I heard a lot of moaning and crying," he said. "I didn't see much movement."

Ritzi said he saw three or four bodies on the ground and more than a dozen people trying to aid them.

PSU classes are proceeding as planned, the university said in a tweet.

In a note to parents, officials at St. Mary's Academy said the school is in lockdown for the rest of the day.

The Multnomah County Health Call Center has also announced that it is available for those impacted by the incident at 503-988-4888, or toll-free at 800-716-9769.

Lauren Peoples, who was downtown for a seminar, said she saw the SUV hit two women who were crossing at Southwest Sixth Avenue and Montgomery Street. She said the women were just about to reach the curb when they were struck.

The SUV was traveling in the transit-only lanes, Peoples said, and didn't stop or slow down.

"I thought he was going to drag them down the street," she said. "He just kept going down the street swerving."