Alcohol involved in wrong-way collision, police say
Two drivers rushed to Portland hospital
By John Branton, Bob Albrecht
Published: April 21, 2010, 12:00am
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A wrong-way driver who was apparently intoxicated caused a nearly head-on collision on Northeast Padden Parkway late Tuesday night, according to police officials.
Yuriy Andriyenko of Vancouver was driving a Toyota minivan when he traveled the wrong way on Padden and slammed into 17-year-old Christopher Lebaugh-Taylor’s full-size Chevrolet Suburban, said Sgt. Chad Rothenberger, a spokesman with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
“Alcohol looks to be a factor on Yuri’s part,” said Rothenberger, who added that a deputy noted in an accident report that Andriyenko “smelled of alcohol.”
The two men were transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland as “trauma alerts,” meaning rescuers called the emergency department to let physicians know the patients were coming. Rothenberger said he did not believe the injuries were life-threatening.
Andriyenko is listed in fair condition, a hospital official said Wednesday. An update on Lebaugh-Taylor, of Vancouver, was not available.
Andriyenko, 37, had his blood taken at the hospital, said Rothenberger, who added it would likely take several weeks to learn the results of a toxicology report.
He said police findings have been sent to prosecutors who could decide to charge Andriyenko with driving under the influence.
The collision closed both the east and westbound lanes of Padden between Andresen Road and Interstate 205 for about an hour Tuesday night while deputies investigated and crews cleared the roadway.
“It was really a tremendous impact,” said Capt. Kevin Murray, a Vancouver Fire Department spokesman.