The suspicious death in the Lents Neighborhood on February 20, , has been ruled a homicide. The victim has been identified as Jeremiah S. McKenzie, 37, of Portland. McKenzie's family has been notified of his death.
They are requesting privacy at this time, but they did provide the attached photos for public release. If anyone has information about this incident, please contact Detective Matt Brown at Matthew. Brown police. Foote police.
On Thursday, February 20, at p. When officers arrived, they confirmed the death and the suspicious circumstances. The Portland Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene to investigate and based on initial findings are considering it a homicide investigation. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the medical examiner at a later time. No initial arrests were made. The PIO is not responding to the scene. Additional information will be released when appropriate.
The paramedics were attending to the patient while she was in the driver's seat of the vehicle and the driver's side door was open. She woke up, started the car, placed it in reverse, and rapidly accelerated backwards. One AMR paramedic was struck by the open car door and pinned against the ambulance. The other paramedic's left foot was run over. The suspect then shifted the vehicle into the drive gear and accelerated forward, hitting a parked car.
She drove through the landscaped area of the church property causing more property damage and fled the scene. Officers responded to the area and a K9 officer spotted the vehicle on Northeast Sandy Boulevard traveling at a high rate of speed. The suspect drove recklessly and continued to her residence at block of Northeast Wygant Street. Officers stopped her there and she was arrested. The suspect's blood alcohol level was tested and found to be nearly 3 times the legal limit to drive.
