TUALATIN - Emergency crews closed I-5 southbound near the Nyberg exit during the Tuesday evening commute after learning that a man had shot himself in a car.
The driver was identified Wednesday morning as James Harvey Beaver, 59, who last listed a Roseburg area address, said Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police.
He was listed in fair condition Wednesday at Oregon Health & Sciences University with two gunshot wounds from a small caliber weapon. Hastings said he has no current permanent address and has no relatives or friends in the Portland area.
Beaver was driving a 1982 GMC van southbound when pulled over for a license violation. After speaking with him, the trooper determined that his license was suspended and returned to his patrol car to order a tow.
When the tow truck arrived, the trooper returned to the car and realized that Beaver had a gunshot wound to his neck and a handgun was on the front passenger seat.
The trooper retreated, asked for backup and other officers blocked the freeway and ramp lanes. Beaver got out of the van when asked by officers, was treated at the scene, and taken to the hospital.
