Oregon state troopers are investigating a suspected hit-and-run that left a 30-year-old Milwaukie man dead on the side of Highway 99E in the Canemah area Sunday morning.
Canby resident Ed Grautski was on his way to deliver doughnuts to Athey Creek Christian Fellowship in West Linn at approximately 7 a.m. when he noticed what he thought was a pile of blankets or a sleeping bag in a southbound pullout.
Passing by the same location on his way home approximately 45 minutes later, he saw the lump was still there and stopped to investigate. Sadly, he discovered a lifeless body surrounded by broken glass. There was also a single sandal lying in the middle of the road, Grautski later recounted.
He called 911 and stayed on-scene according to the dispatcher’s instructions. Oregon City police, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and other emergency personnel responded to the scene with state troopers at about 7:45 a.m.
OSP is taking lead in the investigation, police said. Highway 99E was closed for several hours Sunday as investigators worked to reconstruct the scene.
The deceased was struck by an unknown vehicle and sustained fatal injuries, according to troopers’ preliminary investigation. He was later identified as Marcos Pinto Balam, 30, of Milwaukie.
ODOT and the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office also assisted at the scene.
