NEWBERG, Ore. — A Newberg tattoo shop owner died Friday evening after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on southbound Interstate 5 near the Marquam Bridge in Portland, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
Jason A. Doherty, 60, was identified as the rider. Portland police said Doherty was operating a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar when, after negotiating a left turn off the Marquam Bridge, the motorcycle veered sharply out of its lane and struck a jersey barrier. The crash occurred at 6:18 p.m. The incident closed southbound Interstate 5 traffic for more than four hours. Police said no other vehicles were involved.
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According to a Portland Police Bureau news release, a Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue crew happened to be passing by and stopped to render aid. Portland Fire & Rescue also responded and attempted lifesaving measures before determining Doherty was deceased at the scene. Police said Doherty was wearing a helmet, but that it was a half-shell novelty helmet not approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Doherty was the co-owner of Gilded Heart Tattoo Studio on First Street in Newberg, which he co-founded with business partner Luke Malone. According to the studio’s website, Doherty had worked as a professional artist for more than 30 years, beginning as a pattern artist for a stained glass studio after graduating high school in 1984. He later studied at the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, and spent nearly 15 years as a full-time union commercial illustrator and graphic artist while tattooing part time before opening his own studio.
In a November 2014 interview with the Newberg Graphic when the shop opened, Doherty described his approach to the craft in straightforward terms.
“That’s all I do is draw,” he said. “People say, ‘Oh, well do you have different hobbies?’ I don’t. This is all I do. This is it.”
Malone told Newsberg they opened the shop together when interest in a tattoo shop in Newberg seemed unlikely. They set out to build a community and a different look and feel from a traditional tattoo shop.
“We took a long time to get the community to trust us, but together we were able to build something that actually created value in town,” he said.
The goal from the start was to create a more open and welcoming environment so people would feel comfortable coming through the doors. Malone said they also prioritized giving back to the community through projects and support for youth programs.
“It was always important to him and me to make sure that we are looking after the children of our community,” he said.
Malone confirmed the shop closed over the weekend but resumed standard business operations Monday, June 22. He will take full ownership of the business, and resident artist Krysta Byers will continue working at the shop.
“I do not believe he would want it any other way,” Malone said. “We have worked hard to get where we are today.”
Malone said community members with questions can reach Gilded Heart by phone at (503) 442-5421.
The Portland Police Traffic Division’s Major Crash Team is continuing to investigate. Anyone with information who has not already spoken with investigators is asked to submit a tip through the Portland Police Bureau’s online tip portal. The case number is 26-178327.
Doherty’s family has been notified of his death.
