Driver in Fatal Pedestrian Crash Cooperating with Detectives

If you were in the area of S.W. 198th Avenue and S.W. Butternut Street on the evening of Wednesday, January 10th and you observed this vehicle, please call the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Police say 24-year old Rebecca Marie Murphy of Aloha, whose body was found Wednesday, January 10th on S.W. 198th Avenue, south of S.W. Butternut Street, was killed when she was struck by a vehicle.

Sgt. David Thompson with the Washington County Sheriff's Office says a truck was identified as the vehicle that struck the woman. The truck is a newer model dark blue Chevrolet Avalanche. The owner of the truck was also the driver of the truck on the night that Mrs. Murphy was killed, Thompson said.

"The driver is cooperating with detectives from the Washington County Major Crimes Team. At this time the name of the driver is not being released; he is a male adult. The investigation is ongoing and it is in the best interest of the case to withhold his name at this point."

Thompson says the preliminary investigation indicates that the driver was not aware that he hit a person. He was aware that he struck something, but because of the dark and rainy conditions he had not seen what it was.

"The driver stopped his vehicle and pulled over at the first location he felt was safe. He said he walked back along the road, but without the aid of a flashlight he was unable to see very much. At the time of the collision there was heavy traffic but headlights from the cars do not shine into the ditch where Mrs. Murphy was located. She was also wearing dark clothing which made it difficult to see her," Thompson said.

So far he says, witness statements have corroborated what the driver has told investigators.

"Detectives are continuing to work on this case and would like to talk to people who may have seen a dark blue Chevrolet Avalanche on the night of the incident."

If you were in the area of S.W. 198th Avenue and S.W. Butternut Street on the evening of Thursday, January 10th and you observed this vehicle, please call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at (503)846-2500.