Portland man plows into several parked cars, critically injuring a passenger, runs away

Police lights by night

.Getty Images/iStockphoto

UPDATED Wednesday, Jan. 23: Driver who fled from SE Portland crash that injured passenger arrested days later, police say

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Portland police are searching for a 29-year-old man who was reportedly speeding and lost control of his car then struck several parked vehicles causing traumatic injuries to one of his passengers.

Officers said Nicholas Woods ran away after crashing his car in Southeast Portland on 92nd Avenue just south of Powell Boulevard at 12:04 a.m. Sunday.

When police and emergency personnel arrived at the scene, Woods was nowhere to be found, but one of his passengers was critically injured. Officers said Cherie Marie Swanson, 34, was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Monday, officers said her condition had improved and she was now in serious condition.

Her fiancé was also in the car and was treated at the scene.

Nicholas Woods

Nicholas Woods is wanted for his involvement in a crash in Southeast Portland.

Investigators said preliminary crash analysis shows Woods was headed south on 92nd Avenue “at a high rate of speed” before losing control of the car and plowing into “several” parked vehicles.

Police formally identified Woods as a suspect on Monday. Officials circulated his photograph in a news release and said he may have been injured in the crash.

Anyone who might know where he is should call the traffic division at 503-823-2103.

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen

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