News
Drew Gordon, former NBA and international basketball player, was killed in a fatal two-vehicle crash near Portland, Oregon. The 33-year-old Oregon City resident and older brother of NBA star Aaron Gordon crossed the center line in a three-wheeled autocycle, colliding with a pickup truck.
This update summarizes the reported event and explains the practical legal context Oregon readers may want to understand. It is general information, not case-specific legal advice.
Published May 29, 2024
Drew Gordon, a 33-year-old former NBA and international basketball player, died on Thursday, May 30, in a two-vehicle collision in unincorporated Clackamas County, just outside Portland, Oregon. Authorities have confirmed that Gordon, a resident of Oregon City and the older brother of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, died at the scene.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office responded shortly after 1 p.m. to a crash on South Springwater Road near South Stevens Road. According to investigators, Gordon was driving a Vanderhall Carmel, a three-wheeled autocycle, when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with a GMC Sierra pickup truck.
The driver of the GMC, identified as 25-year-old Rodrigo Navarro Quintor of Oregon City, and a passenger were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Sheriff’s Office noted that impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash. The incident remains under investigation by the inter-agency Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Technicians (CRAFT) team.
Gordon had a notable basketball career, playing nine games for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014–2015 NBA season. He spent most of his professional career overseas, with stints in France, Turkey, Serbia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Japan, and Russia. He was recognized as an All-Star in both France and Russia.
A McDonald's All-American out of Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, Gordon played collegiate basketball for UCLA before transferring to the University of New Mexico. He helped lead the Lobos to a Mountain West championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2012.
He is survived by his wife, Angela Gordon, and their three children. The Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, UCLA, and University of New Mexico all issued statements expressing their condolences.
The preliminary findings indicating that Gordon’s vehicle crossed the center line raise potential legal considerations under Oregon personal injury and wrongful death law. In Oregon, when a driver is found to have caused a fatal accident—even unintentionally—their estate could potentially be held liable for resulting damages.
If the injured survivors in the pickup truck experience long-term physical or emotional trauma, they may seek compensation under Oregon's personal injury statutes. Claims could include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Because no impairment was involved, the focus of liability will likely center on whether Gordon was operating the autocycle negligently, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to maintain lane discipline.
In Oregon, wrongful death cases are governed by ORS 30.020, allowing the decedent’s estate to seek damages for the deceased’s lost earnings, medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of companionship. While Gordon himself was the at-fault party, this case underscores the devastating consequences of losing control on a two-lane rural road.
The unique nature of the vehicle involved—a three-wheeled autocycle—also presents questions about vehicle safety and stability standards. These types of vehicles, while legal for road use, often lack the crashworthiness of standard passenger vehicles.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of road travel. Even in the absence of intoxication or reckless driving, a brief lapse in focus or control can have fatal consequences.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, or if you’ve lost someone due to the negligence of another driver, you may have legal options. The experienced team at Pacific Injury Law Firm is here to help. For a free consultation, contact us online at https://pacificinjurylawfirm.com/contact or call 971-277-3811.
Source reporting used to prepare this update and preserve citation transparency.
Insurance calls, medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty tend to arrive at the same time. The first job is to steady the situation: understand the facts, preserve useful records, and talk through the legal options that fit your Oregon injury claim.
“... I was referred to Adam who was able to take my case and quickly get it resolved for more than I expected. I was very pleasantly surprised by his attention to detail and tenacious negotiating tactics... Adam handled everything to make sure I received the maximum compensation for my injuries. If you need a good personal injury lawyer you just found one.”
Jim West
Tenacious Negotiating Tactics
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case outcomes are shared only when they can be presented accurately and with the right context.
Information submitted through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation is confirmed only in writing.
Photo: Oregon Capital Chronicle
July 14, 2026
July 14, 2026: The Department of Homeland Security reportedly told ICE officers to end vehicle-related enforcement stops after two men were killed during recent encounters. The agency has not publicly confirmed the order, and lawmakers are pressing for answers.
Learn morePhoto: Oregon Capital Chronicle
July 14, 2026
July 14, 2026: A statewide coalition led by Oregon State University received $15 million from the National Science Foundation to support semiconductor work in Oregon. The group could receive up to $160 million over 10 years if it meets program goals.
Learn morePhoto: KATU
July 14, 2026
A motorcycle crash on southbound Highway 217 near Tigard shut down most lanes on July 14, 2026. Emergency crews responded after the motorcycle was reported trapped under another vehicle, and officials had not reported injuries at the time of the initial update.
Learn more
