Possible Witness Sought by OSP as Part of Fatal Auto Pedestrian Crash Near Estacada

Anyone with information about the vehicle, driver or collision is asked to contact the Oregon State Police at (503) 731-3030.

Images of a vehicle similar to the one Oregon State Police are seeking in connection with the fatal crash. Photos provided by OSP

(ESTACADA, Ore.) - Oregon State Police are continuing their investigation of a fatal hit and run crash Friday night, and they're asking for the public's help to identify the vehicle and driver that was involved.

The crash resulted in the death of an Estacada-area man. It happened on Highway 224 about one-half mile east of Estacada.

On March 27, 2009 at approximately 9:27 p.m., 38-year old Charles Bruce Mills of Estacada was struck by an unidentified vehicle while walking on Highway 224 about one-half mile east of the Highway 211 junction.

OSP's Lt. Gregg Hastings says troopers and local emergency personnel responded and found the deceased victim in the middle of the highway near milepost 24.

Additional information from a witness indicates an unknown red vehicle driving in front of the suspect vehicle swerved to avoid the victim in the roadway before he was struck and killed. Troopers investigating this fatal crash need to interview the driver and any occupants from the red vehicle to determine if they have any information to help the investigation.

The unidentified suspected involved vehicle OSP is looking for is described as a white 1992 to 1994 Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable with right front and right side damage.

Hastings says evidence indicates the right front corner turn signal / reflector lens cover is broken out and the right side mirror glass broke out of the side view mirror housing. The right side mirror housing is believed to still be attached to the car.

OSP Sergeant Dan Swift emphasized that the driver of the car that struck the victim may not have caused the crash, but this individual should have stopped at the scene.

"We understand that sometimes a driver may not stop at a crash scene because they are scared for some reason, even if they are not responsible for it happening. Every driver still has a responsibility and is required by law to remain at the scene of a traffic crash, and if they don't then they need to contact us to meet with investigators so we clearly understand what happened," said Swift.

Anyone with information about the vehicle, driver or collision is asked to contact the Oregon State Police at (503) 731-3030.