Wire thieves knock out traffic light. Cars crash.

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Thieves who stole copper wire from a traffic light box caused a fatal collision in early December, according to Portland police investigators. At about 6 a.m. on Dec. 11, a 52-year-old motorcyclist from Fairview, James Goldsmith, didn’t stop at Northeast Airport Way near the I-205 interchange because the light wasn’t operating, police reported. He crashed into a 2022 Freightliner in the intersection and later died of his injuries. Police are asking anyone who saw suspicious behavior or tampering with the traffic control boxes to contact them.