News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office investigates fatal hit-and-run crash in Estacada; public's help sought

Posted: May 29, 2009, 4:37 a.m.

ESTACADA -- On Friday, May 29, 2009 at 1:52 a.m., Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a male pedestrian in Estacada.

Patrol deputies responded to the scene of the fatality in the 24000 block of South Hayden Road in Estacada. This address is located near the intersection of South Springwater Road and South Hayden Road.

Upon arrival, deputies confirmed a deceased male pedestrian in the roadway. He appears to be the victim of hit-and-run collision.

Deputies interviewed an additional male -- a friend of the deceased who was walking with the victim prior to the hit and run.

An additional motorist happened onto the scene moments after the pedestrian was struck and killed. The motorist was the one who brought this incident to the attention of the Clackamas County Communications Center (C-COM).

Deputies on-scene summoned the Sheriff's Office's highly skilled Crash Reconstruction and Forensic Technicians (CRAFT) to the scene to investigate.

Deputies closed the roadway to all vehicular traffic. It was estimated to reopen after 9 a.m. today (Friday, May 29, 2009).

A representative of the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) was also on-scene to assist with the emotional needs of the friend of the deceased -- who was walking with the victim at the time of his death.

The Clackamas County Deputy Medical Examiner was also on-scene assisting with the death investigation.

Investigators learned that prior to the fatality, two males were riding on a motorcycle along South Hayden Road in Estacada. The motorcycle broke down,  and was parked by the duo off the roadway and abandoned. The two then began walking westbound along South Hayden Road.

CRAFT technicians determined that the deceased been walking westbound, and was in the center portion of the roadway at the time of impact with an oncoming eastbound vehicle. This vehicle struck and killed this pedestrian -- and failed to stop at the scene.

It is reasonable to assume the suspect vehicle involved may have received front-end damage as a result of the impact.

An autopsy was conducted at the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office at approximately 10 a.m. today (May 29).

The deceased is identified as Russell "Rusty" Evan Smithson, age 29. His family resides on Kinzy Road in Estacada.

Russell Smithson was walking with his future brother-in-law at the time of collision -- Jonathan Charles Leonard, age 23, who reportedly resides on South Ravens Rise Lane in Estacada.

SUSPECT VEHICLE DESCRIPTION AND REQUEST FOR LEADS

The suspect vehicle is described only as a "light-colored" 4x4 pickup truck. The suspect vehicle was traveling eastbound on South Hayden Road, heading towards Estacada just before 2 a.m. this morning.

It is reasonable to assume the suspect vehicle may have sustained front-end damage as a result of its impact with the victim -- who was walking in the center portion of the roadway.

Sheriff's Office investigators are continuing this death investigation.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information concerning this fatal hit and run to the contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office's confidential Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or using the online e-mail form. Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office case #09-16517.

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Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective