Pedestrian killed in early crash on Sunset Highway in Portland hit-and-run

Portland police say a pedestrian was killed early Tuesday in a hit-and-run crash on eastbound Sunset Highway near Sylvan, close to the Oregon Zoo exit.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, Central Precinct officers responded at about 1:43 a.m. and found the pedestrian dead at the scene. Police said the driver left after the crash.

All eastbound lanes of the highway were closed at Sylvan for several hours while the Major Crash Team investigated. KATU reported that the closure affected traffic on the eastbound side of the Sunset Highway during the morning hours.

Police asked anyone with information who has not already spoken with investigators to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov (opens in a new tab) and reference case No. 26-218870.

For families, a fatal pedestrian crash usually raises immediate questions about witness accounts, scene evidence, and insurance communication. If a loved one was killed in a traffic crash, the family may later need records from police, the medical examiner, and any insurer involved. Those documents can help clarify what happened and what claims may exist under Oregon law.

This report involves a pedestrian death and a driver who allegedly left the scene, which can affect both the criminal investigation and any civil claim tied to the loss. Families often look for guidance through a wrongful death claim when a collision causes a fatal injury. A case built early tends to depend on scene photos, contact information for witnesses, and the official crash report.

The investigation remained active on Tuesday morning, and police had not announced an arrest in the information provided by KATU.