A 17-year-old who was changing a flat tire on Oregon 18 in Tillamook County has died from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run crash, and authorities believe the suspect has fled the country.
The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 12 near Grand Ronde when a white Honda Civic traveling east veered onto the shoulder near milepost 14, according to Oregon State Police.
Three 17-year-old males were changing a flat tire on a parked black Nissan Altima when the Honda, driven by 34-year-old Alejandro Christopher Velazquez Lopez of Tillamook struck all three teenagers before continuing east without stopping.
All three teens were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries. A 17-year-old female passenger who remained inside the Nissan during the incident was uninjured.
State police detectives were immediately called to investigate and find Lopez. Two days after the crash, on July 14, investigators learned that one of the injured teens had died from his injuries.
State police did not release any of the teenagers’ names.
Authorities said they now believe Lopez has left the country, and there is an active warrant for his arrest.
The crash investigation closed Oregon 18 for more than 11 hours.
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