Driver Dies From Injuries Sustained in August 22 Crash in the Wilkes Neighborhood

On Friday, August 22, 2025 at 1:32 p.m., Portland Police Officers assigned to North Precinct responded to a call of a crash in the 14900 block of Northeast Airport Way. When they arrived, they found 2 vehicles had collided, a silver 2021 Kia Soul and a tan 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe.

The initial investigation revealed that the Chevrolet driver, Jose G. Benites, 42, was eastbound on Northeast Airport Way when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed over the cement median into the oncoming lane, and hit the Kia head-on. The driver of the Kia, Ruthellen Tromsness, 85, of Gresham, Oregon, was transported to the hospital for her injuries. There was no indication that her injuries were life threatening. Officers documented the crash in a police report and arranged for the damaged vehicles to be towed. They served a citation to Benites for Driving While Suspended (case number 25-228762).

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Portland Police Traffic Division was notified that Tromsness died at the hospital earlier that day. Per protocol, the incident was reviewed by the PPB Traffic Investigations Unit in collaboration with the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. Tromsness' family has been notified of her death.

This was the 28^th traffic-related fatality of the year in Portland, but fatalities that have happened since have raised that number to 40.

It's important to point out that PPB's figures are distinct from numbers tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA's count excludes crashes involving suicide, private property, non-public roadways, non-motor vehicles, medical events, and deaths that happen more than 30 days after a crash. Our partners at the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) report NHTSA numbers, consistent with their mission. PPB's figures capture incidents that do not fall under NHTSA reporting guidelines, but nevertheless involve an investigation by the Traffic Investigations Unit (TIU), part of the PPB Traffic Division. Homicides involving vehicles are not counted, however, as they are accounted for in the homicide statistics.

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