Police have reiterated that terrorism was not the primary motivation of a fatal car crash in Portland.
According to Fox News, Paul Rivas, a resident of Woodland, Washington, is suspected to be the driver of the car that injured nine and killed one in a 14-block tear through the southeastern region of the city, however, the Portland Police Bureau declined to confirm the suspect’s identity. Police did say the suspect was transferred to a hospital, “where he remains.” The suspect’s name will reportedly be released upon his booking into jail.
Police identified the deceased as Jean Gerich, a 77-year-old Portland resident. Gerich was rushed to the hospital after she was originally struck. She succumbed to her injuries hours later. The other victims in the accident suffered minor injuries and are recovering.
While they have not located evidence to suggest that the incident was motivated by bias, terrorism, or political beliefs, investigators do believe that the act was intentional. Authorities have also not yet identified a motive.
“Detectives did not find evidence that this was an act of terrorism. Detectives did not find bias indicators, nor do they believe this is politically motivated,” officials said in a statement. “Detectives say that the driver’s actions did show intent to hit and injure people.”
Gerich’s family, which was notified of her death, said she got “her first vaccination shot last week and was overjoyed to get out in the world again.”
“Jean Gerich was not a nameless victim. She was a loving mother of two. She was a proud grandmother of five, ages 4 to 16. She would have turned 78 in twelve days,” the family said, adding, “we are grateful for the good Samaritans who were at the scene. The family asks for privacy at this time.”
