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DONATE PLEASE “Justice for James Goldsmith”
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$1,106 raised of
15 donations
In the early morning of December 11th, 2025, I lost my little brother to a preventable death on the unsafe streets of Portland, Oregon. James Peter Goldsmith was my brother and I loved him very much, and I always will, and at 52 years young, he was right in his prime, happy and content.
Sadly, and horrifically, a semi-truck collided with him on his motorcycle, as he was going home after another shift at the airport. James is survived by his 5 siblings, his girlfriend and their rescue yellow lab, and a large extended family in the USA and Europe. James had soooo many friends, too, and it’s difficult to find everyone. Please spread the word.
James, also known as “Jimi”, “Pickles” and “DJ JimiJam”. He was an essential worker for many years as a plane mechanic, a competitive pool player, a legitimate small business owner in Portland, a skilled DJ, a nature-enthusiast, a dog lover, a devoted boyfriend and often very funny.
I’ll never forget the day he arrived to our home as a brand new baby! As his brother, 5 years older, I felt a need to support, protect and guide him, ever since he was born. James was such a free spirit, but I knew I had to let him be his best self, on his own terms.
James was an energetic adventurer, and he followed dreams, in real life. Now, that brotherly affection and admiration has changed, and now we are planning for his final send off, properly. Will you please help us?
We all agree that this void leaves us with immense sadness and grief.
Our family has come together to support and honor James’ incredible life and there will be two opportunities to commiserate with friends and family in the Portland Metro area on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
We have booked a venue (church) that will provide an “areligious” service and reception, and then there will be an “Irish-Style” wake afterwards into the evening at another venue. All are welcome to both events.
Costs accrued so far are $300 for the church and hall space (Oregon City Christian Church) and we hope to reserve a banquet hall at McMenamin’s Edgefield for the Irish wake. The medical and legal fees are daunting and slowly increasing, and based on US funeral costs are now averaging between $7K-$12K.
The funds raised will support the effort, as well as advocate for local transit safety and increased regional transportation accountability. The semi-truck driver has been cooperating with the active investigation.
Please donate generously as we seek “Justice for James”, as his legacy will live on, but we must retain his authentic narrative and passion. James’ memory will always shine in our hearts and we promise to share his story.
(UPDATE 12/23/25)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - A suspected theft of copper wire connected to traffic light contributed to a deadly crash in northeast Portland earlier this month, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
The crash happened just after 6 a.m. on Dec. 11 on Northeast Airport Way at the I-205 interchange. Police said a motorcyclist and a semi-truck collided at the intersection.
The motorcyclist, 52-year-old James P. Goldsmith, of Fairview, died at a hospital a few hours after the crash.
According to police, an investigation determined that some time before the crash, someone cut wires in the transfer box leading to the traffic lights in the intersection. That caused the lights to stop working and police said is a contributing factor to the crash.
(Newstory copy: OregonLive.com/FOXnews)
“A tractor-trailer and a motorcycle collided in Northeast Portland on Thursday morning, the Portland Police Bureau said. The motorcyclist later died at the hospital, officials said.The Portland police’s Major Crash Team is at the scene. During the initial phase of the investigation, Northeast Airport Way is closed in both directions under the freeway overpass, officials said. The I-205 ramps remain open.” (Source: OregonLive.com)
The Major Crash Bureau asks anyone with information about the crash to email “crime tips” at Portland Police.
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