PORTLAND, Ore. – A Portland family is mourning the loss of Randy Phelps, who was taken off life support last week after suffering critical injuries in an e-scooter crash caused by a pothole in Southeast Portland, in a report from FOX 12 Oregon.
The accident happened on August 19 near Southeast 52nd Avenue and Mitchell Street. Neighbors rushed outside after hearing the crash.
“We ran out right away. All the neighbors did too, to see what we could do to help. Then we realized Randy hit a bump in the street, and that’s what caused the accident,” said Bobbi Jo Allen, co-owner of Toast, a restaurant located nearby.
Phelps was hospitalized and placed on life support for more than 20 days. On September 11, his family made the heartbreaking decision to remove him. They said it was important to him to be an organ donor—his donation saved three other lives.
Neighbors say the pothole had been an ongoing problem for weeks. The city filled it on Thursday, nearly a month after the crash and just days after Phelps passed away.
Allen said this wasn’t the first crash she’s seen at the intersection—and she doubts it will be the last.
“It caused people to lose control for a second, whether you’re on a bike, an e-scooter, or even a moped. This intersection is very notorious for accidents,” she said.
Rental e-scooters have been fully available in Portland since 2019, but accidents are on the rise. According to the Oregon Health Authority, nearly 50 scooter-related crashes were reported in 2021, and that number has since more than doubled.
Hospitals are also seeing the increase. Providence St. Vincent says e-scooter injuries are now common, while Legacy reports treating nearly 50 patients since 2022.
Allen, who has ridden a scooter down that stretch of road, says she won’t do it again.
“I wouldn’t recommend it. Even before the accident, it can be scary. There are a lot of potholes, a lot of bumps, and a lot of people not following traffic laws. It just makes it more dangerous,” she said.
Allen has grown close to the Phelps family since the crash. On Monday, Toast will host a fundraiser, donating 25% of proceeds to support them. An online fundraiser has also been launched for those who want to help.
