PORTLAND -- A driver turned himself in to police Thursday after learning that he was wanted in the investigation into a hit-and-run that killed a Vancouver man last month.
Jason Lee Grant, 26, was struck by a vehicle in the 7000 block of SE Foster Road at about 7 p.m. on Jan. 28.
Witnesses said the driver of the car pulled away and continued eastbound on Foster, according to Sgt. Pete Simpson of the Portland Police Bureau.
Police and medical personnel found the Grant in the street. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he died from injuries related to the crash, Simpson said.
The suspect vehicle was not located that night. Police later released a description of a dark-colored pickup truck with possible front-end or hood damage. A tipster eventually called Crimestoppers and police were following up on that lead when suspect Jim Dean Patterson, 53, surrendered, Simpson said.
"Coincidentally, investigators were on their way to Patterson's home [when he surrendered] as they were following up on a Crimestoppers tip," Simpson said.
Background: Vancouver man killed in hit-and-run
Patterson was lodged in the Multnomah County Detention Center on two counts of aggravated vehicle homicide. He was being held on $500,000 bail.
Simpson said a green 2000 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was also recovered from Patterson’s garage and the truck had damage consistent with this collision.
Not long after Patterson turned himself in, dozens of Grant's friends gathered at the scene of the crash for a candlelight vigil.
"He's a good friend of mine," said Luke Alexander. "He was somebody who always took the time to think of someone else."
