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Roberto C. Garcia-Chavez

Age : 19

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 04/06/2026

Location : Willamette River near Southwest Moody Avenue

City : Portland

County : Multnomah

State : Oregon

Agency : Portland Police Bureau

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 04/06/2026, officers with the Portland Police Bureau attempted to stop a vehicle driving the wrong way in downtown Portland. Police said the driver, later identified as Roberto C. Garcia-Chavez, did not stop and officers escalated a high speed chase through Portland.

According to investigators, the vehicle crashed through a barrier near Southwest Moody Avenue and plunged into the Willamette River. Dive teams and marine units responded to the river rescue operation. Garcia-Chavez, 19, of Beavercreek, was recovered from the water and pronounced dead. Police later stated Garcia-Chavez was believed to have been driving the vehicle.

Authorities said a 17 year old survived the crash and was rescued from the river. Two additional occupants also died. Portland police and crash reconstruction investigators handled the investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.portland.gov/police/news/2026/4/6/update-3-third-person-confirmed-deceased-crash-willamette-river-identified
https://www.kptv.com/2026/04/09/teen-victims-identified-deadly-willamette-river-crash-1-still-missing/
https://www.kptv.com/2026/04/14/third-person-identified-deadly-willamette-river-crash/
https://www.koin.com/news/portland/car-plunges-into-willamette-river-after-police-pursuit-in-portland/