News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office
Sheriff's Office responds after bicyclist killed in hit-and-run; info sought
Posted: July 30, 2011, 2:16 p.m.
Photos:
Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #11-22804
Just after 1 a.m. on the morning of Saturday July 30, 2011, a bicyclist was struck and killed in a hit-and-run traffic accident on SE Mather Road near SE Summers Lane in Clackamas, Oregon.
At 1:09 a.m., neighbors near the scene of the accident called 911 to report hearing a crash and then finding a man down in the roadway.
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies and Clackamas Fire District #1 and American Medical Response personnel arrived within minutes. The 18-year-old male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The vehicle that had struck the victim had left the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Investigators with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Crime Reconstruction and Forensic Technicians (CRAFT) team determined that a vehicle travelling eastbound on Mather Road near Summers Lane struck the adult male while he was riding a bicycle eastbound in the bike lane on the right shoulder of Mather Road.
The victim was thrown off the bicycle to the pavement. The vehicle continued eastbound on Mather Road -- carrying the bicycle several blocks before it too was left on the roadway.
Witnesses say the suspect vehicle may have returned to the scene briefly after the crash before driving away.
Clackamas County Sheriff's CRAFT team investigators closed SE Mather Road and SE Summers Lane between Cranberry Loop and Springcrest Drive. The roadway remained closed for several hours this morning while the scene was thoroughly investigated.
UPDATE w/ VICTIM INFO: July 30, 2011, 12:45 p.m.
The State Medical Examiner's office has released the identity of the victim struck and killed earlier this morning on Mather Road in Clackamas Oregon.
He has been identified as Michael Vu, age 18.
According to a family spokesperson, Michael Vu was a Clackamas resident who had graduated this year from Clackamas High School. Michael was also the full-time caregiver for his father, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury one year ago.
The family states that they are heartbroken by the loss of Michael. They are grateful for any help provided by the public.
He was headed home last night on his bicycle when he was struck and killed.
The State Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.
UPDATE: July 30, 2011, 2 p.m. -- MAN SURRENDERS TO DEPUTIES; ADDITIONAL TIPS SOUGHT
Just before noon on Saturday, July 30, 2011, Artyom Pavlenko, age 28, surrendered himself at to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office -- admitting he had been involved in the fatal hit-and-run on Mather Road in Clackamas.
Artyom Pavlenko was interviewed by investigators and then arrested. He has been booked at the Clackamas County Jail on one count of Manslaughter II and one count of Felony -- Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver in an Accident (Hit and Run).
Mr. Pavlenko's silver Honda Civic was located at his Clackamas residence. Deputies are currently conducting an investigation at the residence and applying for a search warrant to seize and search the vehicle allegedly involved in the crash.
At this writing, Mr. Pavlenko is reportedly no longer cooperating with the investigation.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is asking for information regarding Artyom Pavlenko and his recent actions -- particularly for the 24 hours following the accident.
Anyone with information about Mr. Pavlenko is urged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office confidential Tip Line -- by telephone at 503-723-4949, or by using the online e-mail form.
Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #11-22804.
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Contact Info:
James Rhodes, Sergeant
Office of Public Information
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
