The one who was killed in a collision with an Amtrak practice final Friday has been recognized as 58-year-old Wayne Houff.
The total investigation hasn’t been launched, nevertheless it seems Houff was using a Lime electrical scooter southbound on SE eleventh south of Division and was making an attempt to cross one of many 4 units of rail tracks previous to being hit.
In keeping with mates and colleagues, Houff was a paralegal who devoted his life to serving to folks navigate the legal justice system. He served over 20 years in jail and a buddy and colleague of his who contacted BikePortland stated he rode a scooter as a result of his incarceration made him ineligible for a driver’s license.
The nonprofit Adults in Custody posted a memorial to Houff on Instagram. “He by no means let the system outline him,” it says. “As a substitute, he studied it—mastered it. Wayne grew to become the go-to for incarcerated folks making an attempt to navigate a system designed to interrupt them. He didn’t simply learn case legislation—he rewrote futures.”
Right here’s extra from AIC:
“I vowed to study the whole lot I may in regards to the Simply Us system—not only for me, however for everybody who didn’t have a voice.” That vow by no means pale. Even after launch, Wayne stored exhibiting up—for these nonetheless inside, for these newly free, for anybody who wanted steerage, compassion, or simply somebody who understood.
He was a person of many abilities. A journeyman builder. A visible artist whose work hung in galleries. A volunteer at Blanchet Home. A fisherman. A buddy. Wayne may speak legislation one minute and crack a joke the subsequent. He made folks really feel seen. Protected. Heard.”
Houff was engaged to be married and I’ve heard his fiancé will attend Sunday’s World Day of Remembrance occasion. Extra on that occasion, right here.
