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Incident Overview
- Date and Time: August 18, 2025, afternoon
- Location: Southeast 52nd Avenue and Mitchell Street, Portland, Oregon
- Type of Incident: E-scooter accident involving road surface hazard
- Outcome: Fatal brain injury resulting in death on September 11, 2025, after several weeks of hospitalization
Details of the Accident
Randy Phelps, a 45-year-old Portland resident, suffered fatal injuries while riding an e-scooter on Southeast 52nd Avenue near Mitchell Street on August 18, 2025. According to witness accounts and family statements, Phelps was riding his e-scooter just minutes from his home when he struck a significant bump in the roadway that caused him to be ejected from the scooter and land in the street.
The impact resulted in severe traumatic brain injuries that required immediate emergency medical intervention. Phelps was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, which may have contributed to the severity of his head injuries. Emergency responders transported him to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit’s trauma unit.
Staff at nearby businesses, including Toast restaurant, witnessed the accident and immediately rushed to provide assistance. Restaurant employees brought latex gloves and personal protective equipment to help at the scene, demonstrating the community’s quick response to the emergency.
Hospital Stay and Medical Treatment
Phelps spent several weeks in critical condition at OHSU following the accident. His wife, Stephanie Deanio, described the devastating phone call from the hospital that changed their family’s life forever. When she arrived at the ICU trauma unit, she discovered that three other patients were also being treated for similar injuries from scooters and e-bikes, highlighting the frequency of such accidents.
Despite the medical team’s efforts, Phelps’ brain injuries proved too severe. After weeks of treatment and careful consideration, the difficult decision was made to remove life support on September 11, 2024. In a final act of generosity that exemplified Phelps’ character, his organs were donated, ultimately saving three lives.
The Victim: Randy Phelps
Randy Phelps was described by his family as someone who was “always willing to help his friends and his family and help people out.” He was a devoted husband to Stephanie Deanio and father to two children. E-scooter riding was a hobby that Phelps enjoyed regularly, making this tragic accident all the more unexpected for his family.
The family had recently returned from vacation when the accident occurred, adding to the shock and disbelief of the sudden tragedy. At just 45 years old, Phelps’ untimely death has left a significant void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Road Infrastructure Issues
The bump that caused Phelps’ fatal accident has since been marked with spray paint, serving as a visible reminder of the tragedy. According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), they received their first report about this specific road hazard on August 29, 2024—eleven days after the fatal accident occurred.
PBOT scheduled the repair of the dangerous bump for Thursday, September 18, 2024. The agency relies on public reports to identify and address road surface issues such as potholes and bumps, highlighting the importance of community involvement in maintaining safe roadway conditions.
Witnesses and local business owners have reported that numerous potholes and road surface issues exist in the area, suggesting that this may not be an isolated infrastructure problem on Southeast 52nd Avenue.
Community Response and Support
The Portland community has rallied around the Phelps family during their time of grief. Local businesses, led by Toast restaurant owners Scott and Bobby Joe Allen, organized a fundraiser to help the family with financial burdens during this difficult time.
The fundraiser, held on Monday, September 22, 2024, donated 25% of all proceeds from the restaurant’s sales that day to the Phelps family. The event ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing community members with an opportunity to support the grieving family while honoring Randy’s memory.
In addition to the restaurant fundraiser, the family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and other costs associated with the tragedy. The restaurant also provided an option for in-person donations, making it easy for community members to contribute in whatever way they felt comfortable.
Safety Implications and Prevention
This tragic accident highlights several critical safety concerns regarding e-scooter use and urban infrastructure:
E-Scooter Safety Measures
- Helmet Use: Phelps was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Helmet use is crucial for preventing severe head injuries in e-scooter accidents.
- Road Awareness: E-scooter riders should remain vigilant for road surface hazards, including potholes, bumps, and debris.
- Speed Control: Maintaining appropriate speeds allows riders more time to react to unexpected road conditions.
Infrastructure Maintenance
- Proactive Reporting: Citizens should report road hazards promptly to prevent accidents. PBOT relies on public reports to identify dangerous conditions.
- Regular Inspections: Systematic roadway inspections could help identify hazards before they cause accidents.
- Rapid Response: Faster response times to reported hazards could prevent tragic outcomes like Phelps’ death.
Investigation and Legal Considerations
While the specific details of any formal investigation have not been disclosed, the accident raises important questions about municipal responsibility for roadway maintenance. The eleven-day gap between the fatal accident and the first official report to PBOT suggests that the dangerous condition may have existed for some time without being addressed.
Factors that may be relevant in understanding this tragedy include:
- The condition and visibility of the road hazard
- Previous knowledge or reports of the dangerous bump
- The adequacy of roadway maintenance procedures
- The responsibility of municipalities to maintain safe conditions for all road users, including e-scooter riders
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Moving Forward
Stephanie Deanio, despite her profound grief, has found some comfort in knowing that Randy’s organ donation helped save three lives. “I’m just happy that through this tragedy, through this horrific accident, Randy was able to save some lives,” she stated.
The family continues to take things “one day at a time” as they navigate life without Randy while caring for their two children. The community’s support has provided crucial assistance during this difficult period.
Note: This post is based on secondary sources, and our team has not independently verified the details of the accident. If you find any inaccuracies, please contact ELG Injury Lawyers so we can update the post with the correct information. We will also remove the post upon request.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this post is to inform our readers about the dangers of driving and to provide information for people who are injured in an accident in Oregon. This post is not a solicitation for business. None of the information provided is intended to be legal or medical advice. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene.
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Last updated Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
