Person Biking on Portland Road Dies from Injuries of Uncertain Cause

A person biking on Portland Road has died. The releases from the Police are a little odd, and they pointedly do not mention any "hit and run" or seeking a driver and their car. There is also what looks like a bit of overemphasis on "frequent[ing] a homeless camp," as if that was a crime or some reason to blame the victim. It also might have been a clue for reaching family, but it also highlights an otherwise non-important detail in the event of a collision with a driver and car. "Crash" here might also mean a medical event and a resulting fall. Much is unclear.

Original release from Salem PD a week ago, Saturday the 13th:

The Salem Police Traffic Team is asking for the public’s help in locating the family of a man injured in a bicycle crash.

On January 11 at approximately 9:00 p.m., patrol officers responded to the 3600 block of Portland RD NE on the call of a man lying on the sidewalk with a bicycle next to him. Officers located an unconscious man near the intersection of Portland RD and Northgate AV NE with an injury to his head.

The bicyclist, identified as Juan Martinez Barron, age 61, was transported to Salem Health where he remains in critical condition.

The Traffic Team learned Mr. Barron frequents a homeless camp in the area of Hyacinth AV and Claxter CT NE and has been seen recently riding his green and black mountain bike pulling a small utility trailer.

Efforts have been unsuccessful, however, to locate a family member in the area to notify them of Mr. Barron’s accident and life-threatening medical status....

The sad sequel today, from Salem PD:

Mr. Barron, the bicycle rider who was found unconscious on January 11 on a sidewalk in northeast Salem, has died. Mr. Barron was transported to Salem Health that Thursday night where he remained until he passed away this morning.

Mr. Barron’s family was successfully located prior to his passing.

The Traffic Team investigation into the circumstances of this incident continues, and no further information is available at this time.

There are many uncertainties here and this post is very likely to be updated.