Reckless Motorcyclist Killed, Hit By Drunk Driver, Police Say

PORTLAND, OR — A motorcyclist was killed in Southeast Portland early Tuesday following a series of catastrophic events, which began when the motorcycle rider — traveling at unsafe speeds — crashed into a truck. Upon impact he was ejected from his bike, then struck while on the ground by an oncoming vehicle operated by an alleged drunk driver.

The motorcyclist, 43-year-old Jeremy J. Sowa, was operating a Harley Davidson when he wrecked, police said. The alleged drunk driver has been identified as 26-year-old Rory Andrew Morgan.

Morgan was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail, charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants. His bail is set at $2,500.

Witnesses told police they saw Sowa "traveling at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles and traveling into the oncoming lane of traffic" while heading east on Southeast Powell Boulevard just after 2:30 a.m. Feb. 6.

At the intersection of Southeast Powell Boulevard and Southeast 141st Avenue, Sowa reportedly slammed into a GMC pickup turning south onto 141st Avenue from the westbound lanes of Powell Boulevard.

After ejecting from his motorcycle, Sowa was reportedly struck on the ground by Morgan, who was traveling west on Powell Boulevard in a red Ford sedan. Sowa was declared deceased at the scene, police said.

Both Morgan and the GMC driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the subsequent investigation, during which Morgan was reportedly found to be under the influence at the time of the crash.

When asked whether Morgan will also be charged with manslaughter, Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Christopher Burley told Patch the investigation is ongoing. This post will be updated when more information is released.

Anyone with information that can help the investigation is encouraged to call Officer Phillip Maynard at 503-823-2216, or email Phillip.Maynard@portlandoregon.gov.

This article has been updated. A previous version misidentified Jeremy J. Sowa and Rory Morgan's roles in the incident.

Image via Multnomah County Sheriff's Office