Bend Police investigating fatal hit-and-run seek to speak with those who stopped to help, didn’t see crash
(Update: Adding police request to talk to those who stopped to help, didn't see crash)
Investigators say driver got out, moved man out of the road, then fled
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Bend police made a new request Friday to speak to anyone who stopped to help or render aid to a 76-year-old Bend man who was struck and fatally injured at the NW Newport Avenue/14th Street roundabout the night of Thursday, Oct. 27 -- even those who didn't witness the hit-and-run crash.
Police had released photo and more details Tuesday in hopes the public can help them find the driver involved.
The photo, black-and-white and somewhat blurry, shows a dark-colored, larger SUV, possibly a Chevy Suburban, Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade. Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said it’s been described as clean and shiny, possibly a 2008 to 2012 model.
Lt. Juli McConkey told NewsChannel 21 Tuesday that witnesses saw the driver get out of his vehicle and move the victim, Walter James Lane, out of the road.
Investigators say that after striking Lane in the northwest portion of the roundabout, the SUV driver headed south on 14th Street, then turned west on Galveston Avenue.
Police are asking the public in that area to review any security camera footage taken last Thursday, Oct. 27 between 9:30 and 10 p.m. You can contact Bend Police through the non-emergency Deschutes County dispatch line at 541-693-6911 with any information on the case.
Police said Friday their investigators have also learned there could be other community members who stopped to render aid to the man but might not have witnessed the collision.
Detectives are seeking to interview anyone who stopped to render aid or help at the scene. They are asked to contact Detective Sgt. Tommy Russell at 541-312-7955 and leave a message with their contact information.
Police on Monday had released the victim's identity and said Lane had died of his injuries.
Officers responded around 9:30 p.m. Thursday to the report of an injured man at the roundabout, Captain Brian Kindel said last Friday.
An investigation determined the severely injured man was the victim of an apparent felony hit-and-run crash, Kindel said.
Lane was taken by Bend Fire & Rescue ambulance to St. Charles Bend with life-threatening injuries and initially was listed in critical condition.
The cause and details of the crash remain under investigation, the sergeant said.
Police said the driver was described as a white male adult, 40 to 60 years of age, 5-foot-10 to 6 feet tall and about 180 pounds, a medium build with brown hair and a scruffy brown beard.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Bend police at the Deschutes County dispatch non-emergency number, 541-693-6911.
Kindel said he was not providing more details due to the ongoing investigation but that “there was more than one witness” to the incident.
