The crazed SUV driver who injured nine people and killed a 77-year-old woman in a wild hit-and-run rampage in Portland has been identified and investigators say there's no evidence of terrorism, politics or bias behind the attack.
Paul Rivas, 64, has been arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on initial charges of second-degree murder, assault and failure to perform the duties of a driver, the Portland Police Bureau said in a news release.
In his rampage on Monday Rivas, of Oregon City, repeatedly drove into people along the streets and sidewalks in Portland.
He fled the scene on foot and quick-thinking neighbors surrounded him until police arrived.
The Portland Police Bureau said though there's no evidence he was motivated by bias or hate, he did intend to 'hit and injure people.' Records show he had a history of driving dangerously. The investigation into the motive is still ongoing.
The series of hit-and-runs occurred over a distance of 15 blocks on Monday afternoon, with the driver reaching speeds of up to 60 mph.
Victim: In his rampage Rivas hit and dragged 77-year-old pedestrian Jean Gerich, who later died of her injuries. The Oregon State Medical Examiner determined that Gerich died of blunt force trauma and ruled her death a homicide, according to police
On Monday Rivas drove erratically through a 15-block area of southeast Portland, striking pedestrians and cyclist along the way. A view of his wrecked vehicle above
He fled the scene on foot and quick-thinking neighbors surrounded him until police arrived
Rivas was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on initial charges of second-degree murder, assault and failure to perform the duties of a driver
Police were called to the scene around 1pm after reports of a person driving a Honda Element striking people and vehicles in the area of Southeast 26th Avenue and Stark Street and then again near Southeast 36th Avenue and Oak Street.
In total 10 people were hit, including two cyclists. One man with a head injury couldn't remember whether he had gotten out of his car before being struck, police said.
Most victims suffered minor injuries and were recovering, police said late Tuesday.
One of the victims, Jean Gerich, 77, later died from her injuries.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner determined that Gerich died of blunt force trauma and ruled her death a homicide, according to police. Police released a statement from her family thanking the people at the scene who tried to help her.
'Jean Gerich was not a nameless victim. She was a loving mother of two. She was a proud grandmother of five, ages 4 to 16. She would have turned 78 in twelve days. She beat cancer five years ago. She received her first vaccination shot last week and was overjoyed to get out in the world again,' the family said.
Larry Wolfe told The Oregonian that he had an appointment with the woman who was killed and saw her get hit by the car and scream.
He was walking toward her when the car came back, hit her again, did a U-turn and dragged her along the pavement, he said. The driver eventually crashed and ran away before a group of people corralled him, Carmon said.
Rivas had a history of driving dangerously, citing court records that show he got his license reinstated in 2014 after being convicted three times for failing to obey traffic signals, in 2007, 2011 and 2013.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with an investigation on going.
Police were called to the scene around 1pm after reports of a person driving a Honda Element striking people and vehicles in the area. In total 10 people were hit, including two cyclists. A view of neighbors surrounding Rivas (in red pants right)
Investigators in Portland have found no evidence of bias, terrorism or political motivation behind the attack. The motive is not yet clear
At 1:02pm, a bystander dialed 911 to report that a person had been struck by a vehicle of the same description near Southeast 33rd Avenue and Pine Street. Witnesses told police the driver was traveling at speeds of 50-60 mph in other parts of the neighborhood.
The final crash was reported on Southeast Stark Street, between 17th and 18th avenues.
On Tuesday new dramatic footage of the attack emerged, showing Rivas wreaking havoc and a tense exchange between witnesses and the driver moments after the rampage came to an end.
Rivas, who is seen wearing dark red sweatpants and a grey t-shirt, gets down onto his knees under the bystanders’ instructions.
A police car then races into shot and the man leaps to his feet. He then walks towards the advancing officers with his arms outstretched in the air.
As one officer get within a few feet of him, the driver appears to attempt to make a break for it, but is wrestled back against the trunk of a nearby car, before being handcuffed.
Rivas was then detained and taken to a nearby hospital. He was was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 11pm Tuesday after being hospitalizaed.
One of the people who stepped in, Jonathan Rendon, said he saw the suspect hit at least one person.
'We just tried to keep him from going anywhere,' Rendon told KGW8 of the group’s fast-thinking heroics. 'One and two became three and five of us, all of a sudden, pinned him down as much as we could.'
After the vehicle came to a halt, Rivas reportedly tried to flee the scene but a group of bystanders in the area surrounded him to prevent him from leaving until police arrived
A police car then races into shot and the man leaps to his feet. He then walks towards the advancing officers with his arms outstretched in the air. As one officer get within a few feet of him, the driver appears to attempt to make a break for it
The suspect was then detained and taken to a nearby hospital where he remains as of Tuesday afternoon. Police said the suspect's identity will be released after he is booked into the Multnomah County Jail
The series of vicious hit-and-runs occurred over a distance of 15 blocks, with the driver reaching speeds of up to 60 mph
Police said Tuesday that the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
'Detectives did not find evidence that this was an act of terrorism. Detectives did not find bias indicators, nor do they believe this is politically motivated,' officials said in a statement. 'Detectives say that the driver’s actions did show intent to hit and injure people.'
Police Chief Chuck Lovell added that the incident had taken a toll on the local community, and lauded the heroics of bystanders who stepped in to help apprehend the suspect.
'The multiple hit and run crashes by the same suspect yesterday were traumatic for our community,' Lovell said in a statement. 'Thank you to the many community members who responded to assist victims and alerted police to the suspect. We are committed to a full investigation so that the person involved can be held accountable for these senseless acts of violence.'
He continued: 'All of us at PPB send our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the person who was killed as well as our hopes for recovery to those injured. We are committed to a full investigation so that the person involved can be held accountable for these senseless acts of violence.'
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