Stoned Driver Hits Police Cruiser In SE Portland, Injures Officer

PORTLAND, OR — A Portland police officer was injured Friday when his patrol car was struck by another driver who reportedly blew through a stop light. The subsequent investigation determined the driver at fault was high on marijuana.

Shelby A. Ratliff, 27, was lodged and released from Multnomah County Jail April 13. He is charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving — both misdemeanors.

According to police, a Central Precinct officer was traveling east on Southeast Clay Street in a marked police cruiser just before 1:30 a.m. April 13. As the officer crossed Southeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Ratliff drove his Jeep Liberty through a stoplight and into the cruiser.

Ratliff was uninjured in the collision. The officer was taken to hospital and has since been released.

More than 1,000 cases of intoxicated driving incidents were investigated between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018, police officials said. During that same period, there were reportedly more than 170 victims of intoxicated driving incidents.

Of the 10 fatal crashes in Portland since the beginning of the year, three have reportedly been considered a result of intoxicated driving.

Ratliff, for his part, has no other significant criminal history.

Image via Multnomah County Sheriff's Office