Driver involved in multiple NE Portland crashes dies in hospital days later

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The driver involved in multiple crashes in the area surrounding a Northeast Portland Safeway store last week has died in the hospital, authorities said.

Portland resident Curtis Leroy Palmer, 60, died on Tuesday in a hospital after succumbing to injuries he sustained in the crashes, the Portland Police Bureau said. His family was notified of his death.

Palmer was the driver of a silver Ford Escape SUV that was involved in three consecutive crashes that occurred six days ago near Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and surrounding streets in the King Neighborhood. One of the crashes resulted in the death of a pedestrian, 49-year-old DaRon Craig.

In addition to Palmer being sent to the hospital that day, three other people were also hospitalized with injuries due to the crashes.

According to Portland Fire and Rescue, crews responded to reports of a crash in the parking lot of the Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Safeway store just before noon on August 7. At the same time, a second accident was reported near the Safeway at the intersection of Northeast Ainsworth Street and Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Finally, there was a third crash that happened south of the Safeway, and injuries were reported at all three scenes, officials said.

Last week, police said the driver of the silver Ford Escape SUV — initially going northbound on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — may have been the source of all three crashes. However, police said at the time they didn’t believe it was intentional. In addition, the driver — later identified as Palmer — has two prosthetic limbs, police said, adding they were uncertain if that may have been a factor in the crashes.

The crash investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Portland police.