PPB Investigating Delayed Fatal Death of E-Scooter Rider

On August 18, 2025, at about 2 p.m., Randy Lee Phelps, 45, of Portland, was riding an electric scooter in the area of Southeast 52^nd Avenue and Southeast Mitchell Street when he hit a pothole in the street and fell, striking his head. The victim sustained a severe head injury and was taken to a local hospital. On September 11, 2025, he died from his injuries.

At the time of the crash, only medical was dispatched to the call. After learning about the crash through media inquiries, the PPB Traffic Investigations Unit has confirmed this case meets the criteria of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash, and will be counted in PPB's list of fatal crashes. With this crash included, there have been 30 fatal crashes in the city, which includes 29 NHTSA crashes.

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 on NHTSA numbers, consistent with their mission. PPB's figures also 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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