Driver dies after crashing vehicle with explosives into historic club in Portland
Local and federal authorities are investigating the incident, which could have caused a greater tragedy if the devices had detonated completely
A driver died early on Saturday after deliberately crashing a vehicle loaded with improvised explosive devices into the Multnomah Athletic Club, one of the most emblematic social clubs in Portland, Oregon.
According to municipal authorities, the incident occurred shortly before 2:50 a.m. when club employees observed a vehicle ass circulating slowly around the building before it burst through a window and enter inside, KPTV reported.
The car rapidly caught fire, and emergency teams later confirmed that a person —the driver—was lifeless inside the vehicle.
Active devices and high risk operation
Explosives specialists from the Portland Police Bureau found multiple incendiary devices and improvised explosives, in addition to propane tanks, inside the vehicle.
Some devices recorded partial detonations, which left active explosives scattered in the area. Bomb teams have worked for more than 14 hours using robots to defuse and remove materials safely.
Authorities described the scene as one of the most complex faced by the specialized unit, due to the persistent risk and the presence of multiple devices.
The vehicle was directed towards the club's restaurant area, where a gas line is located, which raised the destructive potential of the incident. However, the emergency teams managed to cut off the supply in time.
Authorities indicated that the failure to fully detonate the explosives prevented a catastrophic event. Even so, the building suffered significant damage, with reports pointing to million-dollar losses.
Joint investigation and possible background
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) participates in the investigation along with local police. So far, the motive has not been determined, although authorities consider the fact as an isolated event and without active threat to the community.
Sources cited in the investigation suggest that the driver could have been a former employee of the club, although this information has not been officially confirmed.
The case occurs weeks after another incident in the same location, when a vehicle impacted the property and injured a security guard, without a relationship being established between both events.
The Multnomah Athletic Club management reported that the facility will remain closed indefinitely while security and research efforts continue.
“The goal is to ensure that the space is completely safe before reopening,” the administration said in a statement.