2 men dead after car drives off Morrison Bridge in Portland

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Two men died in a crash off the Morrison Bridge in Portland early Sunday morning.

The Portland Police Bureau said at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to Southeast Water Avenue under the Morrison Bridge. They said a black 2003 Mercedes 500 going eastbound hit a guardrail, went off the bridge and landed on Water Ave. Two men in the car, who have not been identified, died.

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“I came out and I smelled a chemical smell,” Bridgid Blackburn, who works nearby, said. “It smelled like maybe anti-freeze, maybe aftermath of burning rubber or burning vinyl or something. But very chemically.”

People who live near the bridge says they’re grateful the car fell a few feet away from where they’re staying. Neighbors said this isn’t the first time they’ve seen a similar incident in the area and hope more precautions can be taken.

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“Not again,” a neighbor, who didn’t want to be identified, said. “This is like the third time a vehicle has fallen off one of these two bridges. They need to do something about the guardrail right here. This is not safe.”

The investigation is continuing. Officers said speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash. If anyone has any information, you’re asked to e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attention Traffic Investigations Unit and reference case number 23-146476.

A closure to the Morrison Bridge eastbound and Water Ave. was lifted at about 8 a.m.

These are traffic deaths 25 and 26 in Portland this year.

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