Oregon: Portland Police nabbed Matthew J. Nelson for DUI-Pot after he critically injured another driver and then beat feet – followed by witnesses

Matthew Joseph Nelson 31 Multnomah County Sheriff Jail DUI arrest by Portland Police Bureau 062116

THE COWARD POTHEAD HIT AND RAN – Matthew Joseph Nelson 31 Multnomah County Sheriff Jail DUI arrest by Portland Police Bureau 062116

PORTLAND, ORE. — 06/22/2016 —  According to Portland Police Bureau Police, the driver of the 2004 Cadillac Escalade, 31-year-old Matthew Joseph Nelson, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail early Wednesday morning on charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Hit and Run), Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) – Marijuana, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Nelson also w as held on an outstanding warrant.

Nelson and his passenger, a 30-year-old female, walked away from the crash but witnesses kept an eye on them until police arrived. The passenger was interviewed and released at the scene.

The driver of the 1998 Toyota Corolla, 31-year-old Nathaniel Drechsler, suffered serious injuries and remains at a Portland hospital. He is expected to survive his injuries. He was incorrectly listed as a female in the initial release.

Crash investigators learned that Nelson was driving northbound on 33rd Avenue at a high rate of speed prior to crashing into Drechsler. Nelson and his passenger, a 30-year-old female, walked away from the crash but witnesses kept an eye on them until police arrived. The passenger was interviewed and released at the scene.

Based on observations at the scene, crash investigators believe that Nelson was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.


On Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at 7:53 p.m., North Precinct officers responded to the report of a traffic crash at Northeast 33rd Avenue and Killingsworth Street.

Officers and medical personnel arrived and located a crashed Toyota Corolla and a crashed Cadillac Escalade, one containing a driver who was seriously injured. The driver of the Toyota Corolla, a male adult, was transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital with serious injuries.

The driver and passenger of the Cadillac Escalade walked away from the crash scene but were quickly located and detained by police on 33rd Avenue, North of Killingsworth Street.

The Traffic Division’s Major Crash Team is responding to conduct a crash investigation.

Traffic in the intersection will likely be affected for the next several hours.