Tigard Officer Injured In Early Morning Crash On Highway 26

HILLSBORO, OR — A Tigard police officer was severely injured in a car crash on the westbound Cornelius Pass Road exit from Highway 26 early Thursday, according to Hillsboro police.

Hillsboro Police Department spokesman Lt. Henry Reimann announced Officer Matthew Barbee, an 11-year veteran with the Tigard PD, was on his way home from work when he was struck by an alleged drunk driver just after 1:30 a.m. Dec. 14.

Barbee was reportedly traveling west when his personal vehicle began experiencing mechanical issues, so he pulled onto the shoulder of Highway 26 Exit 62B, at Northeast Cornelius Pass Road in Hillsboro.

While pulled over, another driver came up the ramp and rear-ended Barbee, Reimann said, noting Barbee's injuries required a Life Flight to Emanuel Hospital.

The other driver sustained minor injuries but remained at the scene, Reimann said.

The Washington County Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) is reportedly investigating. No charges have yet been filed, Reimann said.

Image via Tigard Police Department