By Andy Matarrese
Portland Police now consider the death of a cyclist who was run over on Nov. 4 by two cars at North Willamette Boulevard and Hodge Street a homicide, and are asking for the public's help in solving the case.
The victim, 32-year-old musician Kipp Crawford, was seen riding his bicycle eastbound on North Willamette Boulevard at approximately 2:30 a.m. when, for unknown reasons, his bike crashed and he landed in the westbound lane.
According to Detective Bryan Steed, it initially appeared that two drunk drivers killed Crawford.
"During that investigation," Steed said, "information came to light that led us to believe that Mr. Crawford may have been the victim of assault or robbery just prior to having been run over by the cars, which started the homicide investigation."
Evidence at the scene and the lack of other evidence led police to believe he was involved in a robbery or assault before he was hit, Steed said.
Witnesses told police they saw and heard an angry altercation between Crawford and the unidentified suspect, and that the suspect was standing over Crawford as he lay in the middle of the street. Detectives described the suspect as a white male in his 20s.
"This is a tough case. There's very little physical evidence," Steed said, explaining that the fact Crawford was struck by two cars made it impossible to determine whether he was attacked beforehand.
The police, in association with Crime Stoppers, are asking anyone with information that could lead to an arrest in this case to please come forward and contact Crime Stoppers at 503-823-4357 or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com. They are offering a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that help solve the case.
"It hurts a lot and if anybody has anything to offer, any clues or leads or anything, it would help," said a tearful Vern Crawford, Kipp's father, at a press conference in downtown Portland Feb. 18. "It's not just for us but for his sister and a big circle of friends that he had here."
