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BEAVERTON, Washington County, Ore., Sept. 15, 2026 — A motorcyclist died Sunday night, September 13, following a crash with a Tesla at SW Scholls Ferry Road and SW Loon Drive in Beaverton, according to authorities.
Beaverton police said officers were called shortly after 10 p.m. after a motorcycle and a passenger car collided. The rider, a 34-year-old man from Dallas, Oregon, was reportedly riding a Kawasaki Z50. He died at the scene, police said.
The Washington County Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team responded and is handling the investigation, according to police.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Where Motorcycle Crashes at Intersections Tend to Cluster
Serious motorcycle collisions concentrate at intersections more than almost anywhere else on the road network, particularly where a busy arterial meets a smaller side street. These are spots where a vehicle waiting to cross or turn has to judge the speed and distance of an oncoming motorcycle, a smaller target that is harder to see and easier to misjudge than a car or truck.
Wide arterials like Scholls Ferry Road carry multiple lanes of traffic at higher speeds, which stretches the sight distance a driver needs to safely pull out or turn. Even a brief lapse in that judgment, at night or in poor light, can put a motorcycle and a car on a collision path with little time for either to react.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those deaths involved another vehicle at an intersection, where visibility and timing decide whether a rider is seen in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear actually helps protect a motorcyclist in a crash?
A DOT-approved helmet, a reinforced jacket and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves all reduce the severity of head, road-rash, and limb injuries. Helmets in particular cut the risk of a fatal head injury.
What usually causes motorcycle crashes at intersections?
Common factors include a driver failing to see an oncoming rider, misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or distance, and turning left across its path. Low visibility, glare, and nighttime conditions add to the risk.
Why do motorcycle crashes tend to cause more serious injuries than car crashes?
A motorcycle offers no frame, airbags, or crumple zone around the rider. Any impact transfers directly to the person, which is why injuries from even moderate-speed collisions tend to be more severe than in a car-on-car crash.
How do left-turning vehicles end up hitting motorcycles?
A driver turning left often looks for other cars and misses a motorcycle’s narrower profile, or misjudges how fast it’s closing. That misjudgment is a frequent factor in intersection collisions between cars and motorcycles.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Beaverton, OR
Anyone involved in or witnessing a motorcycle crash should call 911 right away and stay clear of moving traffic while waiting for help. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries from a motorcycle collision don’t show symptoms immediately.
If you’re able, note what you saw, including the time, weather, and traffic signals, and get contact information for any other witnesses. Cooperate with responding officers and the crash reconstruction team, and request a copy of the official report once it’s filed. Reach out to your insurer promptly, and give yourself time to process the event, a collision like this affects people well beyond the physical injuries.
