Woodburn hit-run suspect from December 2024 arrested
EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story said the suspect was still at large. Woodburn Police said there was "a mix up on the original media release being re-released accidentally" right before they released the information about the arrest.
Updated story is below.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The day after Christmas 2024 Nicolas Hernandez-Mendoza was in a crosswalk on Pacific Highway north of Williams Avenue when he was hit by a driver who fled the scene. Hernandez-Mendoza, 44, died at Salem Hospital a little while later.
Since that day, the Woodburn police were searching for the driver. On Sunday, authorities announced there was an arrest in the case.
Around 11 p.m. Saturday, Kenneth Kolarsky was taken into custody by Silverton and Woodburn police on an outstanding warrant for felony hit-and-run. The 58-year-old Portland resident works at Silverton Hospital and was arrested outside their facility, officials said.
Kolarsky was booked into the Marion County Jail.
The crash happened around 8:45 p.m. on December 26. The driver, in an light-colored SUV of unknown make or model, took a right turn onto Williams Avenue and then a left on Carol Street as it fled.
The investigation continues.