A man faces aggravated assault charges after his car rolled over and fell on a motorcyclist following an accident on June 26, 2024. (Courtesy of PPB)
PORTLAND, Oregon (KOIN) – A man is facing charges including aggravated assault after his car overturned and struck a motorcyclist on Sunset Highway Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after 3 p.m., Portland Police officers responded to a report of the crash near eastbound Highway 26 at the Southwest Sylvan Road overpass.
When they arrived, they found an overturned Subaru Outback and a motorcycle lying on its side.
Initial investigations revealed that the motorcyclist – a 47-year-old Washington resident – was initially traveling between lanes of traffic. The driver – identified as 60-year-old David Bumgardner – reportedly believed the motorcycle had struck his car but continued driving.
Officials say Bumgardner then pulled onto the shoulder of the road and followed the motorcyclist at a high rate of speed. When the motorcyclist slowed down at a traffic sign, Bumgardner allegedly was unable to stop and struck the motorcycle, causing his car to roll over and fall on top of the motorcyclist.
After a passerby pulled the motorcyclist out from under the car, he was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Bumgardner was uninjured in the accident, authorities say.
Bumgardner was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and charged with second- and third-degree assault, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person.
The motorcyclist was charged with driving without insurance, reckless driving, failure to stay in his lane, driving without a motorcycle license and failure to register a motor vehicle.
