PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 70-year-old man died and an 85-year-old man was critically hurt when they were hit by a pickup truck on Highway 20 in Philomath Saturday.
The Corvallis men, Robert Ozretich and Allan Deutsch, were picking up debris along the highway when they were hit by a Ford pickup truck, whose driver left the scene. Ozretich died at the scene. Deutsch remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, officials said.
With the help of the public, investigators found the pickup at the Blodgett Store, west of Philomath, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said.
The driver, Ricky Ray Ferguson, was arrested and faces a number of charges. The 54-year-old Toledo resident is charged with manslaughter, assault, reckless driving, hit-and-run and tampering with evidence.
Investigators are still looking for information about Ferguson, his truck — a white 2004 Ford F-250 with an Oregon plate 377 JQR — and what he did in Philomath after the crash. Officials said they know he stopped at “numerous roadside locations to work on his vehicle and alter its appearance.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Benton County Sheriff’s Sgt. Iverson at 541.766.6858.
