OSP update: Driver jailed in Tumalo hit-and-run that killed dog

A 65-year-old Bend-area man was arrested Thursday on aggravated animal abuse, reckless driving and other charges, accused of hitting and killing a dog along Gerking Market Road Wednesday evening, then fleeing the scene, Oregon State Police said.

OSP received numerous tips after the incident was made public Wednesday night, but it was the dog owner’s vehicle description, car parts found at the scene and a Deschutes County 911 dispatch computer check of area cars that led to the contact and arrest, said Senior Trooper Gary Thompson.

Bruce Allen Hoover was booked into the county jail and held on $35,000 bail, also charged with recklessly endangering, second-degree menacing, failure to perform the duties of a driver (hit and run) and first-degree animal abuse. Aggravated animal abuse is a felony charge; the rest are misdemeanors.

OSP Lt. Bill Fugate said the hit-and-run collision occurred around 6:20 p.m. and involved a driver who was alone in what was described as a possibly 2006-09 charcoal or dark gray Mustang. He said it would have left-side grill damage, as well as damage to the left mirror and possibly the windshield, as the dog owner threw a closed rake at it.

Thompson said Thursday the dispatch tip led to contacting Hoover, who has a 2006 Mustang that had the described damage.

The dog owner told OSP the car was heading north at about 80 mph when the crash occurred about a mile north of U.S. Highway 20. Thompson said Hoover had told troopers he was going about 60 mph.

The man told OSP he’d used his hands to motion for the car to slow down — but it instead sped up and headed directly toward the man, standing on the shoulder on the other (west) side of the road. He moved out of the way, as the car hit the dog in the southbound lane, then continued north without slowing or returning to the scene.

The dog owner said he’d just gotten the Dalmatian from the shelter about five weeks ago, Thompson said. He had been conducting field burning and was standing in front of his home with the Dalmatian and a second dog when the car changed lanes and started coming toward him.

The dog probably “got spooked,” Thompson said, and ran into the road while the other dog ran toward the house.

The impact left the killed dog about 35 feet down the road on the shoulder.

Fugate said Hoover’s car had recent damage which he said was from striking the dog.

Thompson expressed thanks to the public for the many tips and information received in the matter. OSP is still seeking witnesses to the incident, who are asked to call 503-375-3555.