Hit and Run Kills One Teen And Injures Two Others

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, at approximately 3:15 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle hit-and-run fatal crash on Highway 18 in Tillamook County near Grand Ronde. The preliminary investigation indicated that a white Honda Civic, later discovered to be operated by 34-year old Alejandro Christopher Velazquez Lopez of Tillamook, was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 14. The Honda left the travel lane and entered the eastbound shoulder, where a black Nissan Altima with a flat tire was parked. Three 17-year-old males were outside the Nissan, changing the flat tire, when the Honda left the roadway and struck all three juveniles. The driver of the Honda did not stop and continued driving eastbound on the highway. 

All three male juveniles were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. A 17-year-old female passenger was inside the Nissan at the time of the crash and was not injured.OSP Major Crime Section detectives were immediately called to investigate and locate the operator of the Honda.On July 14, 2025, OSP investigators were notified that one of the 17-year-old males died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. Lopez is believed to have left the country and there is an active warrant for his arrest. The highway was impacted for approximately 11.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal Police, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.