UPDATE #2: Two People Confirmed Deceased in Crash into Willamette River Identified

The Medical Examiner identified them as Roberto C. Garcia-Chavez, 19, and Trent Badillo, 17, both of Beavercreek, Clackamas County, Oregon. Both of their families have been notified of their deaths. A third occupant, who survived the crash and was rescued from the river, is a 17-year-old male. He is not being identified. The fourth occupant of the vehicle, believed to be a 20-year-old male, has not been located but is presumed deceased. His name is not being released at this time.

Traffic Investigations Unit Officers believe that Garcia-Chavez was the driver of the vehicle, a white 1996 Toyota Corolla.

PPB investigators plan to remove the car from the water, and the process of identifying a contractor with the appropriate expertise and equipment to do this job is underway. The method of recovery will be determined during this process, but it will likely be a water-based recovery. However, it will be some time before the retrieval takes place due to planning and logistics.

The investigation is continuing and additional information will be released when appropriate.

###PPB###

***Original Messages Below***

UPDATE: Two Deceased After Vehicle Crashes into River, Additional Person Presumed Deceased

Published April 6, 2026 3:20 am
Updated April 6, 2026 3:18 pm

The Portland Police Bureau is releasing additional information about a vehicle crash into the Willamette River that resulted in the death of two people and likely a third.

A little after 2:00 a.m. on the morning of Monday, April 6, 2026, a Central Precinct officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction and running red lights in Downtown Portland. In the area of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Harvey Milk Street, the officer activated his overhead lights in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled eastbound on Southwest Harvey Milk Street. The officer did not pursue the vehicle, but he witnessed it cross Southwest Naito Parkway, into Waterfront Park, and ultimately into the river.

Responding officers located one individual in the river, and that person, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was rescued by Portland Fire & Rescue. PPB is grateful for the quick and coordinated response from PF&R and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. MCSO's Dive Team responded to the scene to search the river. The team recovered the remains of two people. One person is unaccounted for and presumed deceased.

"This is a heartbreaking incident that has resulted in a tragic loss of life," Assistant Chief Brian Hughes said. "Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected as we continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this event."

Additional information will be released when appropriate.

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

Traffic #Alert: Vehicle Crashed into the Willamette River - Traffic Alert

On Monday, April 6, 2026, at 2:09 a.m., Portland Police officers from Central Precinct witnessed a vehicle driving the wrong way at a high rate of speed on downtown Portland streets. When officers activated their overhead lights in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated away eastbound on Southwest Harvey Milk Street. The vehicle continued through Southwest Naito Parkway and into Waterfront Park, before crashing into the Willamette River. One person has been transported to an area hospital with unknown injuries.

The Portland Police Traffic Division Major Crash Team is responding to the scene to investigate, as well as the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon Coast Guard. During the investigation, Southwest Naito Parkway and Waterfront Park are closed between Southwest Oak Street and Southwest Washington Street.

If anyone has information about this crash and has not already spoken to police, please e-mail [email protected] attn: TIU and reference case number 26-98006.

The PIO is not responding to the scene. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

###PPB###