Woman killed in Hazelwood hit-and-run incident

Here’s why investigators are puzzling over this outer East Portland pedestrian hit-and-run death …

SE Stark Street, east of 136th Avenue, is closed down while police investigate a deadly pedestrian hit-and-run incident in the Hazelwood neighborhood.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The investigation into a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian in the Hazelwood neighborhood began as a call to the 9-1-1 Center, with a witness reporting seeing a woman being struck on SE Stark Street, just east of SE 136th Avenue on Monday evening, February 8.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were dispatched at 6:52 p.m., bringing 14 officers to the area.

PPB Major Crash Team officers set up their FARO Imaging accident reconstruction documenting device.

“When officers arrived, they located a pedestrian who was deceased,” confirmed PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen.

The PPB’s Major Crash Team (formerly, with their now-disbanded Traffic Division) parked their van to the east of the deceased, who was found in the westbound lanes of SE Stark Street.

“The vehicle involved was no longer at the scene, when officers arrived,” Sgt. Allen observed.

A PPB Forensics Division Crime Scene Investigator photographs evidence at the scene.

Officers combed the street and sidewalk, looking for any evidence left behind by the fleeing driver, but found little. Other officers canvassed this relatively dark, under-lit section of SE Stark Street, looking for residences or buildings with outward-facing video security cameras – but again, they appeared to come up empty-handed.

Two days later, Sgt. Allen revealed that the deceased victim was identified as 60-year-old Karen McClure of Portland.

At their van, PPB Major Crash Team officers gather to discuss evidence they’d found at the crash scene.

“The suspect, and suspect vehicle, in this case are still outstanding; no suspect description is available; and the investigation is ongoing,” Sgt Allen said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portland Police Officer Garrett Dow Garrett.Dow@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5070.

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