© Beth Nakamura
One woman is in critical condition at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, a spokesperson said. Another is in serious condition and the third is in fair condition. Police say there may be a fourth victim who left the scene.
The incident occurred at the Portland State University Urban Center, a hub that houses university departments, eateries and is the location of a MAX station and several bus stops.
Police said the women were walking along the east sidewalk of Sixth Avenue when they were struck.
Several witnesses say the vehicle was a blue, mid-sized SUV. Portland officers are searching the area for a 2005 Mazda Tribute, with front-end damage and a leaking radiator.
Several witnesses say the vehicle was a blue, mid-sized SUV. Portland officers are searching the area for a 2005 Mazda Tribute, with front-end damage and a leaking radiator and the license plate number 491 JHT.
A Portland police source said the registered owner of the SUV is flagged in the bureau's database as suicidal with mental health issues. Police also believe the crash was intentional based on witness statements.
Christopher Bond told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he was nearly hit by the vehicle and said the driver "gunned the motor" as it sped toward him after already hitting three people.
Bond, 48, said he was sitting outside of the Starbucks at Southwest Sixth and Mill drinking a coffee when he heard a scream. He looked up the street and saw the SUV coming towards him. He jumped up and stood against the brick wall next to the tables as the driver made for him.
"Another half-foot more, he would've clipped me," Bond said.
Bond said he couldn't see the driver through the windshield, and he didn't have time to write down the license plate.
One of the victims was lying on her side, Bond said, and there was a black mark on her back he thinks was from the car's bumper or tires.
Paramedics came within five minutes, Bond said.
Isabela Juan, 26, was on her way to the PSU library after chemistry class when she came across the scene. Paramedics and officers were already there.
Juan said she saw one of the women lying in the fetal position, bleeding from her nose, apparently unconscious. When paramedics put her on a gurney, Juan saw that half her face was covered in blood.
Another victim was screaming and crying, Juan said. It seemed like she had hurt her hips and couldn't walk.
Two of the women were lying close together, near where a ramp comes up to Southwest Sixth Avenue. A third was a little farther away, closer to Café Yumm.
Patrol Sgt. Pat Kelly said the driver plowed onto the sidewalk and "really banged up a lot of people.''
Investigators are pulling video from a nearby transit office to see if it captured the crash. Police are asking witnesses who recorded video at the scene or businesses that may have captured security footage to call the non-emergency line, 503-823-3333.
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