Cyclist Killed in Clackamas Hit and Run (Updated)
On Saturday morning, July 30th, just after 1am, neighbors in the area of SE Mather Rd near SE Summers Lane in Clackamas called 911 to report a man down in the street.
Emergency crews arrived on scene and found an 18-year-old male that they later pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported that he may have been struck while riding his bike and that the vehicle left the scene. The victim was later identified as 18-year-old Michael Vu of Clackamas. Vu recently graduated from Clackamas High School and served as a full time caregiver to his father that became disabled last year after a traumatic brain injury.
The investigation later confirmed that the cyclist was struck by a vehicle travelling eastbound on Mather Rd while riding inside the eastbound bike lane. The victim was thrown off the bicycle while the vehicle continued on for several blocks with the bike hanging from it, before continuing on. Witnesses say that the vehicle may have returned to the scene briefly.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a vehicle of interest that may have fresh damage to its front end, hood and possibly roof. This vehicle would have been in the area of SE Mather Rd and SE Summers Ln just after 1am on Saturday morning, July 30th, 2011. Late in the day on Saturday, 28-year-old Artyom Pavlenko turned himself into police, directing them to his damaged silver Honda Civic. Pavlenko was booked on charges of Manslaughter and a felony charge for leaving the scene of the accident.
Investigators are also looking for a second vehicle that was seen in the area at the time of the crash. This vehicle was described as a dark, possibly black, newer model GMC or Chevrolet pick-up truck with a white decal or sticker on the rear window.
Anyone with information concerning this crime is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office’s confidential Tip Line — by telephone at 503-723-4949, or by using the online e-mail form at www.co.clackamas.or.us.
