Hit-and-run kills one cyclist, police arrest suspected driver | Crime

PORTLAND, Ore. - One cyclist was killed and another was injured after police said they were struck by a hit-and-run driver early Friday morning in Southeast Portland.

Later Friday morning, police confirmed they had made an arrest in the case. The suspect has been identified as Ashawntae Rosemon, 18, of Vancouver.

Police and medical units responded to a call from a cyclist near Southeast 85th and Division Street just after 1 a.m. Friday. The caller was one of two cyclists that had been hit, 17-year-old Kevin Phomma.

In a post on the popular cycling blog BikePortland.org, Phomma commented about the crash and said his injuries were minor.

Phomma said the driver came "directly into the bike lane" and first struck Dustin Finney, 28, of Portland. The force of the impact threw Finney ahead of Phomma, who had been riding ahead of Finney. Phomma said he was also hit but not as hard and was released from the hospital after being checked out. He said he had only bumps and bruises.

Finney died at the scene, according to police. He was a local college student.

Officers located the suspect vehicle, described as a black Acura SUV, near Southeast 92nd and Powell Boulevard. Searches of the area by police and canine units failed to turn up the suspect.

Late Friday morning, Portland Police confirmed that an arrest had been made and another person was being sought. Police also said the two cyclists do not know each other and just happened to be in the same place at the same time.

An investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing. One bicycle that was struck had a flashing light on the back. Whether the riders had helmets on has not been released.

Police said Rosemon has been charged with Manslaughter in the second degree, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Failing to Perform the Duties of a Driver, Vehicle Assault of a Pedestrian and Reckless Driving.

The city of Portland does have a plan in the works to at least help with some of the problems in this area for pedestrians and cyclists. Starting later this month, construction will start on a new signal at 87th and Division. There are also plans to widen the sidewalk between 87th and 85th.

KATU News reporter Erica Nochlin contributed to this report.