Portland, OR – Two pedestrians were injured on Sunday, July 27, 2025, when a driver in a stolen vehicle crashed into them near Northwest 6th Avenue and Northwest Glisan Street in Portland's Pearl District. Officers from the Central Precinct initially attempted to stop the stolen vehicle in the area of Northwest 9th Avenue and West Burnside Street, but the driver eluded them. Police did not pursue the vehicle, which later crashed.
An eyewitness, identified as "ghost Tara Faul" on social media, described the traumatic event. In a tweet, the witness stated, > "Stolen vehicle driver plowed into two people near union station sending the bodies flying into the air. The sound of them hitting the car was horrifying. I witnessed the whole thing and am really rattled. Both victims left on stretchers." The victims were transported from the scene by medical personnel.
The Portland Police Bureau's updated vehicle pursuit policy, effective October 26, 2023, generally disfavors pursuits due to the inherent risks to public safety and officers. The policy mandates that officers weigh the immediate danger posed by a suspect's driving against the dangers of a pursuit, allowing them only for specific felonies or if the suspect's identity is unknown and cannot be apprehended later. This policy guided the officers' decision not to engage in a high-speed chase.
The driver of the stolen vehicle, 30-year-old DeShawn R. Nichols of Portland, was later apprehended and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. Nichols faces multiple charges, including attempting to elude police by vehicle, reckless driving, and recklessly endangering another person. A stolen firearm was also reportedly recovered from the vehicle Nichols was driving.
The Portland Police Bureau's Traffic Investigations Unit is actively investigating the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information regarding the crash to contact them, referencing case number 25-201377. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding stolen vehicles and public safety in the city.