Ta'Ron Lee Briggs

Ta’Ron Lee Briggs died attempting to rescue Tajaliayh Briggs, DeVonte Nash and a boy from electrocution, Portland, Oregon, January 17, 2024. After freezing rain coated the city’s roads and trees with ice, Briggs, 21 – Ta’Ron’s sister – and her partner Nash, 30, were at a vehicle parked on a residential street with their 9-month-old son when a large tree branch snapped and pulled a power line down onto their SUV and the street. The Briggs siblings’ parents were nearby, outside an apartment complex accessed by a sloped, ice-covered driveway. As the downed line sparked, the partner was carrying his son away from the SUV when he fell, feet-first, down the driveway and slid toward the line at the base at the street, came into contact with an electrical current, and was electrocuted. While the boy, who was awake, rested on the chest of his unresponsive father, Briggs, who was pregnant, fell next to her partner and also was electrocuted. From a nearby apartment, Ta’Ron, a 15-year-old high school student, came outside and approached Briggs from the top of the driveway despite his father’s pleas to stay away. Ta’Ron slipped and fell beside his sister, and, too, was electrocuted. A young woman, whom a 911 dispatcher advised to stay away from the downed line, slid down the driveway, lifted the boy from Nash’s chest, and carried him to safety. Although the boy was taken to a hospital as a precaution, he was not injured. Ta’Ron, along with Briggs and her partner, died at the scene. Responding police officers who arrived moments later saw that Briggs, Ta’Ron and Nash were deceased and did not approach the victims until a power company official advised that electricity was turned off to the downed line.

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Obituary

Ta’Ron Briggs was born on February 06, 2008, in Portland Oregon to Ronald and Jeanine Briggs. (Today he would’ve been 16 years old!).  Ta’Ron attended Milwaukie High School where he played Football and Basketball.  Football was his number one passion. Ta’Ron was the most loving and helpful 15-year-old young man.  He loved to help others. He had a bright spirit and he lit up every room he walked into.  He was also silly and loved to make others happy and smile.  He loved to dance, and he was very close to his siblings.  He was truly loved by many.

Ta’Ron is survived by parents: Ronald Briggs Sr. and Jeanine Hill Briggs; Siblings:  Ronald Briggs Jr, Tajanae Briggs, Tajahana Briggs, and Ta’Shaun Briggs; Grandparents:  Charles Hill Sr., Deborah Stringfellow, Shirley Briggs; Aunts and Uncles:  Tony Briggs, Tanya Briggs, Charles Hill (Amy), Renee Briggs.  Ta’Ron is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and close friends.

Ta’Ron was preceded in death by Grandfather William Billie Briggs.