A man is in custody after police say he seriously injured another driver in a wreck on Highway 99E south of Gervais Thursday night, then fled the scene.
Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to the scene of the two-vehicle crash at approximately 11:05 p.m. Thursday. Police say a silver 2007 Nissan Murano, with the driver later identified as Angel Andres-Mercado, 47, veered from the southbound lane and struck a 2009 Kia Sportage, driven by 86-year-old Rodion E. Ovchinnikov, of Woodburn, who was stopped at the intersection with Waconda Road.
Ovchinnikov was transported to the Salem Hospital with serious injuries, and later, to OHSU in Portland.
Andres-Mercado allegedly fled, leaving his vehicle at the scene, but he was arrested by Oregon State Police the following afternoon. He was initially charged with failing to perform the duties of a driver and felony hit and run, and police say they are investigating further charges to be referred to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
