A commercial truck driver was arrested on the night of Jan. 28 by Oregon State Police in connection with an injury hit-and-run crash on Highway 20 in the Santiam Pass area.
The suspect driver was found over two hours after the reported crash near Salem, on Highway 22.
At approximately 9:20 p.m. on Jan. 28, a commercial truck and semi-trailer was westbound on Highway 20 near milepost 78 when the semi-trailer, which didn’t have required chains, slid sideways on the snow-covered roadway into the eastbound lane, where it collided with a 2004 Ford Focus with two occupants, state police said.
A witness said the semi-trailer noticeably shook upon impact. The truck and semi-trailer stopped momentarily on the westbound side of the highway but then drove westbound without remaining at the scene, leaving behind vehicle debris evidence, police said.
OSP, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department, Black Butte Ranch Fire and Police departments, and ODOT responded to the scene. The Ford’s two occupants were transported by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center at RiverBend for treatment of minor injuries. They were identified as driver Hermilo Estrada II, 41, and passenger Holly Hamilton, 49, both from Bend.
At approximately midnight, an OSP trooper spotted a truck and semi-trailer westbound on Highway 22 near Salem and stopped it. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of driver Alvin James Ellis, 59, of Beaverton. Ellis was lodged in the Marion County Jail for Misdemeanor Failing to Perform Duties of Driver Involved in Injury Crash and Reckless Driving, according to a state police report.