Police: Drunk driver goes airborne, lands on MAX tracks
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BEAVERTON, Ore. - Commuters using the TriMet MAX light rail system Red and Blue lines were hit with delays Wednesday morning after police said a car left Highway 26 and crashed down onto the tracks at the Sunset Transit Center late Tuesday night.
Beaverton Police said they were called to the transit center at about 11:15 p.m. and found a black BMW on the westbound tracks. A large tree was also brought down onto the track during the crash.
The MAX lines in the area were closed until just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday as crew repaired the track.
Police said the driver, identified as Jeff John Roberton, 27, from Vancouver, was intoxicated and driving at 80 mph or more westbound on Highway 26 when he tried to take the Highway 217 southbound exit and left the roadway, went airborne and landed on the train tracks inside the tunnel at the transit station.
Overhead electrical wires were pulled down and Trimet crews had to make several repairs.
Trimet spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt said shuttle buses were dispatched to move transit users between Galleria/Library stations in downtown Portland and the Beaverton Transit Center.
The Sunset station is one of the busiest in the system.
Roberton's mother said he was drinking while watching a Trail Blazer basketball game. Then he got behind the wheel.
His family said he just made a bad decision but is otherwise a good guy.
Court records show he has been picked up a few times for alcohol-related charges but most were dismissed.
The car was removed just before 5:00 a.m. and TriMet workers were inspecting both the power lines and rails for damage before starting repair efforts, Altstadt said.
Beorn Anderson said he was going to catch a MAX train when he heard the crash and ran down to see what had happened. "As soon as I found out that he was on the tracks, I came down to see if he was OK," Anderson said. "Somebody else actually pulled him out of the car."
Just before the crash, Officer Mike Rowe with Beaverton Police said an officer on Highway 26 saw a black BMW driving at high speed and pulled over what he thought was that vehicle, but learned it wasn't when the call about the crash came in.
The BMW's speed was clocked with a laser device at 80 mph but Rowe said the speed of the car when it crashed is unknown.
Anderson said the driver had only scrapes and bruises. The BMW was heavily damaged.
Beaverton police said Roberton has been arrested for reckless driving, DUII and criminal mischief and taken to the Washington County Jail.
According to TriMet, it will give Roberton a bill for the repairs that were made. While it doesn't have an estimate just yet, it is estimating it could be in the thousands.
Heh!!  that's a neat trick I expect you saw the new James Bond movie "Sky Fall" bond takes a part a train to get his villain, call the producers of Bond movies I am sure they could use a idiot like you next time for a "haring" stunt driver scene. Only in Vancouver would we find a stupid person to go over the state line and cause havoc to commuters.
Surprised that nobody commented on this, yet:  "Just before the crash, Officer Mike Rowe with Beaverton Police said an officer on Highway 26 saw a black BMW driving at high speed and pulled over what he thought was that vehicle, but learned it wasn't when the call about the crash came in."So, if he had not crashed, some other poor schmuck would have been stuck with the ticket?
The Dukes of Vancouver
 Just scrapes and bruises? Wow. His guardian angel has without any doubt grey hair and a nervous breakdown right about now after this drunken tomfoolery. Nothing like having his inebriated mug all over the place for some righteous shaming. Good luck getting car insurance again or having any of your family or friends feel safe getting a ride with you, Roberton.
His insurance will cover the bulk of the cost of damages but they'll drop him like a hotcake right after!
Found his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/jeff.roberton.14
 @lorivance nothing says inebriate like having drinking pics posted for the whole world to see on facebook
"the driver had only scrapes and bruises."
Of course....
A new coat of wax and the car will be like new.
I can see it now, this Idiot will hook up with the Crackhead that carjacked the SUV and drove it into a building. We could turn it into a reality show and then merge it with the Show Shine about the Moonshiners. Have to admit it is just as creative as anything Hollywood has come up with lately. Oh my God! I am starting to sound like the last shadow.
Good times.
 @Obongo Geddon lol
What a doofus.
well, for less they got a christmas tree for free right?  (ô.ô)
sometimes LAW makes me laugh alot why??? is the same thing i wondering myself everyday..
Oh it should buff out just fine.
Doctor: "Kill it so it doesn't grow. It's the only way to be sure. Surgical excision of the whole tumor!"
Nurse: "But doctor, it's a person."
Doctor: "It can't be human. There's no brain."
Nurse: "Well, you do have a point."
Doctor: "Prep for surgery!"
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@Mikey Nice!!
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@tha last shadow wow that did not make a lick of sense
 @franksbeans  @tha i know but i put my brain to fly hahahahahaha
What ever.
Take that idiot's license away for 10 years. DUI is not taken seriously enough under current laws. He could have killed someone: someone in my family, or yours. Contact your legislators and demand harsher penalties for DUI.
 One of them there Bigfeet ran into the road officer.Â
Stupid is as stupid does. Sure glad I'm not working downtown anymore. This would not have made my day.Â
My car isn't working right now, and I had a 12 hour shift in North Portland. going home, I encounter this. it took 9 shuttle buses to pas, all with two bicycles on the rack, before just one rack spot was open for me.
Hang this feller from the closest light pole.
 @No_Conservitards Just ride your bike. If the nice sunny day was too much for you then leave your toy at home.
 @No_Conservitards Why didn't you just ride your bike?
 @emilykbee I live in Aloha?
 @emilykbee  @No_Conservitards who rides bike with this wheater?? somebody with no sense??
 @iamtroglodite I think the last shadow is about 3 sheets to the wind. Kind of scarey that he drives huh?
wheater?
Nice going, Mr. Roberton. You've now caused a lot of people trouble getting to work. Hope you're proud. Keep up the good work. Hope you'll be on MAX for the rest of your life instead of behind the wheel.
Next on crimemet will be increased fares bc they "didn't budget" spending for track inspection and repair for incidents like this. If things were done proper, this guy should have whatever money he makes ( assuming he makes something) taken away and used for repairs until the cost of repairs is covered. But I am assuming it doesn't happen this way? I don't care if it leaves him broke and he has to sell everything...if anyone should foot the bill it's him!
"Well, you see, officer, I was trying to deliver this here Christmas tree to a little crippled girl and her family when my GPS told me I had to make an immediate left turn right here . . . . and then, the next thing I knew, there was an all-mighty thumping noise followed by a HUGE bang and there was this bright light coming right at me . . . . . "
Just imagining some sorry excuses for this poor drunken fool.
The car might be salvageable. A little bondo here and there, a fresh coat of paint. Post the ad on Craigslist.
Maybe he should've taken the max home?
Where is Darwin when you need him.
 @2012 Hope and Change I think he's dead    (ñ.ñ')
Poor 'ol moron lost his Beemer. Doesn't happen often, but this guy DEFINITELY deserved to lose his precious ride.
 @bobcatboy1984 With a BMW this fool's insurance was already steep. Maybe now they'll disallow him any insurance at all, and the jerk will have to ride the bus.
 @Old29  @bobcatboy1984 After-market BMWs can go for pretty cheap if you have a couple grand in cash.
@Old29 if he's willing to drive drunk, he's probably willing to drive without insurance too.
Well, at least he didn't injure anyone else with his dumbassery. Kinda wish he'd sustained more serious injuries, but alas, he'll be back on the roads soon.
And the title pic ?? Why are those 2 trimet guys standing so close together...looks odd !
 @sargerator Did it ever occur to you that there probably was a lot of traffic noise and they were trying to hear each other?? The things people notice... brother.
@Jalarti relax...relaxxxx, I thought it looked goofy, sorry you got you panties in a wad !
 @sargerator  @Jalarti Yah, and it's damned uncomfortable, too! :)
 @sargerator you poor thing.
Ya, sorry, I guess we all see trimet guys standing cheek to cheek discussing how to solve the next problem
 @sargerator Got you a little excited, did it?