In the early hours of Friday, a sequence of desperate maneuvers culminated in tragedy in southeast Portland. Around 3 a.m., officers with the Portland Police Bureau spotted two vehicles driving recklessly in the vicinity of Southeast 119th Avenue and Southeast Division Street. When an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, both cars evaded the patrol, taking off before the emergency lights were fully activated.
Minutes later, one of the fleeing vehicles, driven by the local artist known as BandMann Bino, crashed into a utility pole at Southeast 148th Avenue and Division Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities believe he was the sole occupant. The second car, with its driver, remains at large.
Police have confirmed that the incident is under active investigation. Traffic-investigation units are combing through surveillance footage, witness statements and the vehicle’s movements before, during and after the chase. The intersection where the crash occurred was temporarily closed for documentation of evidence.
The case has been assigned investigation number 25-305585. Portland Police are urging anyone with information about the second vehicle, its driver or the circumstances surrounding the collision to reach out via [email protected] (attention: TIU).
While the identity of the deceased driver was initially withheld, community members quickly recognized him as BandMann Bino — someone known for his music and presence in the local scene. His untimely death has shocked friends, fans and neighbors who are now grappling with a painful loss. The larger questions about how things escalated so quickly now hang heavy in the air.
Authorities emphasize the dangers of fleeing from law enforcement and reckless driving. Their concern is that moments of high adrenaline can ripple outward—costing lives, disrupting neighborhoods and leaving families in mourning. They stress that investigations like this are not just about assigning blame but about preventing future avoidable tragedies.
For now, the investigation continues. As residents and fans alike grapple with the void left behind, law enforcement presses on with piecing together the exact sequence that led to the crash — the moment when a traffic stop turned into a fatal wreck, and a life ended far too soon.