Portland council approves $287,500 settlement in bicyclist collision with Water Bureau truck

The Portland City Council voted to approve a $287,500 emergency settlement in a bodily‑injury lawsuit arising from a July 1, 2024 collision between a bicyclist and a Portland Water Bureau dump truck.

Senior deputy attorney Anne Milligan summarized the incident for the council: the bicyclist rode alongside the city's 2024 Freightliner dump truck on Southeast Hawthorne, and when the truck turned right the bicyclist struck the side of the truck, suffering ankle injuries and a five‑day hospital stay. Milligan said, "The parties have reached a tentative settlement in the amount of $287,500 pending council approval." No public testimony was signed up for the item.

Councilor Kunal questioned staff about when the bureau would remove, reassign, or discipline drivers after collisions. Charles Smith, Group Director of Maintenance & Construction at the Portland Water Bureau, described a progressive discipline process and said some circumstances (for example, a positive DOT drug test or a serious safety violation) would lead to immediate removal from service. Dave Ferrell from risk management gave claims history figures on the record: "For fiscal year 2425 and 2526, there were a total of 26 collision vehicle of all vehicles in water bureau claims." Councilors indicated that, given the information presented, they had enough to support the settlement. The emergency ordinance passed by roll call with nine aye votes.

The approved settlement amount is $287,500; staff said the settlement was recommended by the bureau, risk management, and the city attorney’s office.