Joel Hopkin, an oral and facial surgeon who has practiced in Albany since 2002, is in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland after an accident Saturday evening at Portland International Airport.

Hopkin, 39, lives in Salem with his wife, Cristina, and their three children.

According to the Associated Press, Hopkin was loading baggage into his SUV near the baggage claim area. About 10:30 p.m., a car behind him was shoved into Hopkin's legs when it was struck by a 2003 Cadillac DeVille owned by a couple from Vancouver.

A spokesman for the Port of Portland said the 79-year-old driver of the Cadillac stepped out of the car to look for someone she and her husband were to pick up at the airport. Her husband, 83, moved across the front seat behind the steering wheel. The vehicle's transmission slipped into gear, and the car lurched forward.

The accident remains under investigation, but no charges are expected.

Hopkin is well known in the mid-valley as an extremely kind and competent oral surgeon.

"Joel is a real patient-oriented and technically superior doctor," said Michael Goger, a retired Albany dentist who for many years was active with the Oregon Dental Association.

Hopkin's partner in their medical practice is Dr. David Howerton. The men also have a practice in Salem.

Hopkin has a bachelor's degree in life sciences from the University of Idaho. His medical degree is from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and he completed his general surgery internship and oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

He also is a graduate of the Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Dentistry in Portland, where he is a clinical professor in the oral and maxillofacial surgery department.