PORTLAND, OR — An 85-year-old cyclist, Raymond L. Myers, lost his life following a tragic collision in Portland’s Centennial neighborhood, prompting upgraded charges against the driver and amplifying community demands for improved road safety.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the intersection of Southeast 145th Avenue and Southeast Powell Boulevard. Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct officers responded to reports of a crash and found Myers, a Portland resident, with severe injuries, including a significant head wound. Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where initial assessments suggested he might recover. Tragically, Myers succumbed to his injuries the following morning, Monday, July 14, 2025, as confirmed by the Portland Police Major Crash Team after notification from his family.

The driver, identified as 54-year-old Hiep Phuoc Tran of Portland, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Officers observed clear signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes, and Tran’s admission to drinking before driving from his mother’s house. He was arrested on initial charges of Third-Degree Assault and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII). Following Myers’s death, Tran’s charges were escalated to include Criminally Negligent Homicide. At his arraignment on Monday, Tran pleaded not guilty to the charges of manslaughter and DUII and was subsequently released on bail from the Multnomah County Detention Center.

The Portland Police Major Crash Team is actively investigating the circumstances of the collision, reconstructing the scene and gathering witness statements. Specific details, such as whether Myers had the right of way or the exact nature of Tran’s intoxication, have not been disclosed. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to contact the Traffic Investigations Unit at [email protected], referencing the case.

This fatal crash has heightened concerns about traffic safety in the Centennial neighborhood, where Southeast Powell Boulevard, a major transportation artery, is notorious for high vehicle volumes and elevated crash risks. The intersection of SE Powell and 145th Avenue, near residential communities and commercial zones, is a hotspot for pedestrian and cyclist activity, amplifying the danger posed by reckless driving. Myers, described by neighbors as an active and kind-hearted individual, was reportedly deaf or hard of hearing, which may have compounded his vulnerability on the road.

The tragedy has fueled renewed calls from residents for infrastructure improvements and stricter enforcement to protect cyclists and pedestrians. Southeast Powell Boulevard, managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), has been the site of multiple fatal crashes, including the death of an 86-year-old pedestrian in March 2025. Community advocates are pressing ODOT, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, and TriMet to implement safety measures, such as enhanced crosswalks, better signage, and traffic calming initiatives, to prevent further loss of life.

As the investigation continues, Raymond L. Myers’s death underscores the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users, particularly the elderly and cyclists. The Portland community mourns the loss of a beloved neighbor while advocating for a safer future.