Traffic #Alert: Vehicle Crashed into the Willamette River - Traffic Alert

Portland police say the third person who died after a single-vehicle crash into the Willamette River has been identified as Jakob Esperum, 20, of Beavercreek, Oregon. The Medical Examiner notified his family, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

The crash happened in the early morning hours of April 6, 2026, after officers saw a vehicle traveling the wrong way at high speed in downtown Portland and running red lights. Police say an officer tried to stop the car near Southwest 3rd Avenue and Harvey Milk Street, but the driver kept going east on Southwest Harvey Milk Street, crossed Southwest Naito Parkway, entered Waterfront Park, and then went into the river.

Police said one person was rescued from the water with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to a hospital. The remaining occupants were later identified through the investigation, and police previously said two other people had died. The bureau also said the vehicle has not yet been recovered and that staff are working to line up a contractor with the equipment needed to retrieve it.

For families and witnesses, a crash like this can leave urgent questions about records, scene evidence, and insurance. People with information about the incident can contact Portland police at the address listed in the bureau’s release and reference case number 26-98006. Families dealing with a fatal crash may also want to preserve medical records, death notices, and any police paperwork tied to the investigation. If the crash involved a vehicle, a car accident injury claim may raise questions about liability, available coverage, and the next steps after police finish their work.

Sources

1. Traffic #Alert: Vehicle Crashed into the Willamette River - Traffic Alert (opens in a new tab) - Portland Police Bureau, 2026-04-06