Drunk Driving Incident Leaves Four Pedestrians Injured in Old Town: A Call for Safety Reform

Portland, Oregon | July 4, 2025

Four Pedestrians Injured by Suspected Drunk Driver in Portland's Old Town Entertainment District

In the early hours of Independence Day, four pedestrians were injured when a suspected drunk driver ran a stop sign and struck them in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood. The incident occurred at approximately 2:01 a.m. on the corner of Northwest 4th Avenue and Northwest Couch Street, amid a large crowd dispersing following a public disturbance.

Incident Details

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers had responded to a fight involving over 100 people when the crash occurred. As officers were dispersing the crowd, a 2018 Ford Mustang traveling eastbound on Northwest Couch Street failed to stop at an intersection and drove through a group of about 10 pedestrians legally crossing the street.

Four adult women were hit. Two were transported to the hospital via ambulance with injuries that included a concussion and a broken arm. The other two women chose to seek treatment on their own for injuries that included head lacerations.

Three PPB officers narrowly avoided being struck themselves and immediately intervened. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Portland resident Tyler William Miller, appeared disoriented and attempted to reverse his vehicle before complying with orders to exit the car. He was taken into custody without further incident.

An officer with the PPB Traffic Division confirmed that Miller was impaired. He was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII), Reckless Driving, two counts of Assault in the Third Degree, and 15 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Legal Implications Under Oregon Law

This alarming incident raises several legal issues under Oregon personal injury law. First and foremost, victims of impaired drivers may have grounds to bring personal injury claims, especially when negligence results in significant physical harm.

Given the nature of the crash, the victims could also pursue pedestrian accident injury claims. Oregon law generally favors pedestrians in crosswalks, especially when the driver is found to be under the influence and disregards traffic signals.

Additionally, because Miller was arrested for DUII, this incident may also give rise to potential drunk driver accident injury claims. In some cases, third-party liability may exist—for example, if a bar or other establishment overserved the driver—triggering potential Dram Shop liability.

The fact that the incident occurred during the July 4th holiday adds another layer of public safety importance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Independence Day period is among the deadliest on U.S. roads, with 40% of drivers killed in crashes during the holiday testing positive for alcohol.

Community and Safety Efforts

The Portland Police Bureau has urged the public to celebrate responsibly during the holiday weekend and has increased patrols to crack down on impaired drivers. The department emphasized that impaired driving, whether due to alcohol or drugs, remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatal crashes in Oregon.

The NHTSA’s “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” campaign continues to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair motor coordination and decision-making, increasing the risk of collisions.

Know Your Rights

For victims of impaired driving crashes, the road to recovery can be long and difficult. Understanding your legal rights is a critical first step. At Pacific Injury Law Firm, we help victims of drunk drivers and pedestrian accidents pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a similar incident, our experienced Oregon personal injury attorneys can help. Contact us today for a free consultation at Pacific Injury Law Firm or call 971-277-3811.

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Sources:

• Portland Police Bureau (opens in a new tab)