This Week in the Mercury
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Bikes Fatal Bike Crash in North Portland Last Night
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 10:53 AM
A cyclist riding was struck and killed by two cars late last night at the intersection of N Willamette and Haven Road, right next to University of Portland.
- Victim Kipp Crawford
From the police:
This morning at 2:26 a.m., Portland Police responded to the area of North Willamette Blvd and North Haven Street on a call of a bicyclist that had been hit. Officers located an injured man at the scene and he was immediately taken to an area hospital. This man later died at the hospital. Police are attempting to identify the deceased man.The Major Crash Team is on scene investigating this incident. Both drivers and their vehicles are at the scene of this incident and investigators are interviewing both drivers. Police are still attempting to identify the man found at the scene.
That section of Willamette has a bike lane, but it's not clear at all what happened—whether the cyclist was in the bike lane or even whether the cars were going in opposite directions. This is the fourth fatal bike crash this year in Portland.
KATU reports that the police investigators have "at least one witness account of the cyclist being pushed into the road", after neighbors heard the sounds of an argument on the road. BikePortland also has some commentary on the tragedy and some photos of the crash scene.
More details as we have them.
UPDATE 12:31 PM: Both drivers were drunk. Police charged both 41-year old Carlos Tyrone McCall, the driver of a Cadillac, and 44-year-old Felisa Washington-Berry, driver of an Isuzu SUV, of driving under the influence.
The cyclist has been identified as 31-year-old Kipp Daniel Crawford. It turns out he was not actually on his bike at the time of the crash. According to police spokeswoman Mary Wheat, Crawford was "down in the roadway" when he was struck by the two cars traveling in the same direction.
Police are trying to piece together why Crawford was off his bike and in the road and are asking anyone who interacted with Crawford yesterday to call Officer Peter Kurronen at 503-823-2208.
Did anyone know Crawford?
Update 4:50PM: Crawford was a musician in a couple local bands, including Thanks Kipp and the drummer in Celilo. He will definitely be missed by a lot of friends.
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No fucking way. Kipp was a regular at the bar I work at--just talked to him. I can't believe it. Man, this is horrible.
Jesus H. Christ. Both of them were drunk!? Fucking assholes.
Jake - where's that bar? Was near where Kipp died?
No--I talked to him last on Sunday night. He'd come in most nights I worked, but I left early last night so I'm not sure what he was up to. Unbelievable.
this is so tragic... I will miss you Kipp! Was just thinking about you the other day...
Kipp was a very talented musician and sound engineer. I last saw him touring through sf with a county western band named Ruby Dee and The Snake Handlers, but he was also a member a Fractal, an experimental jazz group. And yes, that was Kipp of Thanks, Kipp.
A really warm hearted person... he will be missed...
He was also in the excellent Celilo (http://www.myspace.com/celilo) as well. Very sad.
Looks like Kipp was also drummer for local band Celilo:
http://www.myspace.com/celilo
If any of his friends or bandmates want to organize a memorial, let me know. I'll be happy to post it on the blog. It's obvious he was important to a lot of people.
smirk@portlandmercury.com
As Tamara said, Kipp was a wonderfully warm human being. His friends and family have a gaping hole in their hearts now. I am so upset at this universe right now.
We'll miss ya sorely Kipp Crawford. See ya down the road senor...
Kipp let me borrow a book by Charles Bukowski and gave me whiskey. His smile warmed me. Fucking god damn. One day you are here. The next you aren't. Even though I didn't know him that well this fucking hurts to read.
Kipp Crawford was a wonderful producer and a dear friend to us. His talent, smile and more than words can describe will be sorely missed.
I have known Kipp for almost 9 years. He grew up with my girlfriend and I have spent time with his awesome parents. He was a great musician and a really nice guy. This is so sad, it breaks my heart.
Kipp was an outstanding musician and a great person. I only knew him brieflyl but our bands are close and he's the one who recorded my band's first CD earlier this year. I will never forget him.
Kipp was a great guy. This is a tremendous loss for his family and friends, as well as the people who never had the privilege of knowing him.
This is insane. I grew up with Kip in Ashland and hung out with him a few times lately, running into him in Nopo. We were super homedogs. I drove him home not too long ago- threw his bike into the back of my truck. I'm sure he was riding home after the bar- he lived on Greeley- maybe he was at a bar in St. Johns? I just got in a bike accident a month ago too Kip. Sorry, so sorry dude. RIP Kip, RIP Steve Spring. Make great music together in heaven. xomigz
Kipp moved me with his amazing beat. I'm thankful that I was able to see him recently. There truly wasn't anyone as great as him. He's already so missed.
This news is so terrible. Kipp and I were in the drum section of school band for seven years back in Ashland. He was always one of the nicest and smartest people I knew. I ran into him a few year ago in Portland, and I was so impressed that he was still drumming - one of the only people who followed his heart. I am so sorry that the world has lost him in such an unfortunate way. Rest in peace, Kipp. I will sure miss you.
Kipp was an amazing guy, knew him from Ashland and can't make sense of this. He was always so cool, calm and caring. He could drum like no other, and he was super modest about it. I am so glad to have known you Kipp and wish you weren't taken from us. I hope they find out who attacked him and lock them away.
My best wishes to his family...
oof.
ouch.
I grew up with Kipp in Ashland and have been hearing his work ever since he was drumming in the ska band the 5th business in high school. Mistress Quickly's album Onus also featured kip, on drums and the album cover too.
He was devoted to his craft, he had skill and passion. We were lucky to have him.
Just jammed with him at Calabash sunday night.. a great drummer.. Rest in peace Kipp. my prayer goes to his family.. - Tomo
Kipp was my drumming brother, I played with him in Fractal and Celilo for a couple years ... a kind hearted human being and the best drummer I ever played with ... too much. RIP my brother.
Kipp was my roomate and my friend. I was very blessed to have had him in my life. We have lost a dear friend and one of the best goddamn drummers this town has ever seen. I miss you man.
I'm heartbroken over this. Kip grew up on my street and graduated from High School with me. I ran into him one halloween when we were both in our hometown of Ashland and amongst all of the chaos around us, we had the most wonderful conversation. An amazing musician, fellow cellist and thoughtful man. Finding gratitude for everything today.
Kipp was a wonderful person and a really great musician. His talent, his intelligence, and his kindness are a legacy few of us can claim.
My deepest heartfelt condolences to Kip's family and his close friends. I am holding you all in my thoughts and in my heart. Our musical community is tight - this affects all of us. This news is so sudden and so very sad...I am grieving. Words can't quite express. Please do post any information regarding a ceremony for Kip. Thank you. -- Kate
Sad news all around. As I was driving last night, I noticed that I could see the bike light at the back of the bicycle on my right but thought it would be good for riders to wear a safety strip on their jacket sleeves as well as I almost didn't see the rider.
I had the opportunity to meet Kipp earlier this year and worked with him a number of times since -- always a smile on his face and always enthusiastic. This is humbling to say the least. My thoughts are with him and those closest to him...
I've spent all day day dreaming of meeting the scumbag who pushed him in to the road. What a shocking, terrible, sad, sad loss. We miss you already Kipp.
What a loss...Kipp was as great as everyone is saying and so talented as well...Portland has lost another good one.
Kipp recorded a demo for my friend's band and it sounded awesome. Also he was an extremely talented jazz drummer. What a nice person. This is absolutely tragic.
I had the opportunity to get to know Kipp through touring with him as the rhythm section for Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. We roomed together through half a dozen tours, and I found him to be insightful, articulate, considerate and talented. Some of the best times of my life were spent when he was present. The hole this leaves in my life is indescribable. The number of comments praising his easygoing manner and positive effect on those he worked with is testament to a life well spent.
God speed Kipp Crawford! My life is better for having known you.
I also went to AHS with Kipp and played drums with him in the marching band and Jazz band. As everyone said, he was a kind and gentle soul, quiet and tremendously talented. I always wished I could play as well as he could, and I know how he got that good: he never stopped drumming with his hands (and feet) on the desk or whatever was in front of him. We weren't close friends, but we did spend one summer doing pit orchestra for Rogue Music Theater. On the slower songs where we didn't play, he would crack me up by pretending to sing along. Such a great guy, god damn, what a tragedy.
Where are we going to find another bearded guy that wants to play drums in a band in Portland??? What will we do?!
TMH, I've got a few good ideas about what you could do, you heartless, soulless excuse for a human being.
Another of Kipp's friends from Ashland here - we lived together for a couple years, worked together, went snowboarding, and he held down the beats for 5th Business. Funky ska punishment! (Steve Spring was the bass player - such a talented rhythm section; it was ridiculous - and Steve is gone, too, from cancer several years ago.) I ran into Kipp a while back at Laughing Planet, and we swapped numbers - he humorously warned me that it would probably be "like four months" before he called me. I had been thinking of calling him to catch up - he lived only four blocks away. A dedicated musician; living in a basement, barely making rent, recording, gigging, producing recordings. This is such a loss. All I have been able to think about is Kipp, this gentle, funny, musical guy, scared and hurt and alone, dying in the road...so fucking sad I can't even think straight. I am comforted to see this outpouring of love and fond remembrance of Kipp here - I am hurting with you all.
So sad.
Along with several other posters here, I was in Band and Jazz Band with Kipp for many years in Ashland. He was always a joy to be around, and one of the most talented musicians I've ever met. I've bumped into him on occasion in Portland and could tell that he carried his love of music and his kind heart well into adulthood. I can't express how sad this loss makes me, knowing he is no longer a part of this world. It hurts. My heart goes out to everyone else who is hurting as well, especially his family. I can barely imagine.
I remember spending many lunches in the band room as a kid. Often I would walk in and Jonah and/or Kipp would be playing with beats - more than once I was blown away by what I heard. On several occasions I remember lamenting zero period with Kipp, to the point of outward annoyance by our director Sue. And I also remember being stoked as I moved to 2nd chair, since I got to stand by rhythm. Sue gave Kipp and I "co-player of the year" awards at our final senior concert. I think I got it for "most improved", and Sue said she simply couldn't pick between the two of us. But Kipp was an incredible musician, and no one deserved it more. His loss is a tragedy.
He was also the heart and soul behind the "Redwood Son" project and I don't know how to move forward without him
Hands down, the best spirit AND drummer I have ever met!
I'm sure the alcohol consumed by the drivers of the vehicles involved had very little to do with Kip's death. Who "pushed" Kip? What preceded the push? RIP
I pulled out Mistress Quickly and have been listening to it for you Kip. So glad that I got to meet you and watch you play in Ashland. What a kind and peaceful soul and a committed drummer and cyclist. This is a senseless tragedy.
To all of Kipp's friends, I am wondering if any of you have heard of a memorial or service or what have you, either here in PDX or down in Ashland? I would like to go if there is one, but haven't heard, and don't want to call his family up out of the blue. If anyone has heard anything, I would be thankful if you would pass the information along to me: iankovtunovich AT hotmail DOT com.
Regards, Ian
I am also looking to pay my respects to Kipp and his family and friends in some way. I sure hope there is an ongoing investigation to find out what really happened.
Kipp helped me produce Jessie Rae's "Out of the Blue" CD in 2004. He played drums and mixed all the tracks. I thought he was heaven sent. He was all those things people describe him to be: kind, exceptionally talented, smart, humble....
He lived near us too, it's hard to believe we won't see him walking down the street anymore. RIP Kipp.
Joan AT jessierae DOT com.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words, Kipp will be sorely missed.
yougotmarandized AT gmail DOT com
A memorial for Kipp will be held at his house on Wednesday November 11th at 6PM. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome to come share memories and stories as we celebrate the short but beautiful life of our friend! Kipps Farewell-6107 N Greeley Ave. Portland, OR
The bike lane on Willamette actually disappears for a block or two right by where this happened. It can be a rather tricky stretch to maneuver, depending on who else is on the road at the time...
Another memorial for Kipp will be at 6-8pm Monday the 23rd at Standing Stone Brewery in Ashland. Music, snacks, rememberences (dinner, drinks for purchase if interested).
All of Kipps friends are welcome.
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