Portland, OR. — A 33-year-old man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly fleeing police in a stolen van and crashing into several vehicles during Monday evening rush hour, according to TriMet’s Transit Police Division.
The incident began around 5 p.m. on November 24, 2025, when Transit Police officers patrolling near the Delta Park/Vanport MAX Station spotted an occupied stolen van on North Union Court. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver — later identified as Ryan Anthony Salt — sped away.
Traffic in the area was described as extremely heavy. Officers did not pursue the vehicle but kept it in sight from a distance. Salt is accused of driving on the shoulder, entering oncoming lanes, and endangering multiple people as he fled.
Salt allegedly crashed into four separate vehicles before abandoning the van and running across all lanes of I-5, forcing several motorists to brake abruptly to avoid hitting him. Officers maintained visual contact as he continued running and recovered a firearm believed to have been in his possession.
No critical injuries were reported from the crashes.
Portland Police Bureau officers located Salt near I-5 and North Marine Drive and took him into custody. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on felony charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, attempting to elude by vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm.
He also faces misdemeanor counts including five charges of reckless endangering, four counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, attempt to elude on foot, and reckless driving.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Portland Police Bureau for its assistance, noting that the information is preliminary and charges remain allegations until proven in court.
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