Multnomah County, OR (July 29, 2026) – A pedestrian was killed early Tuesday morning, July 28, after a hit-and-run driver struck them on Highway 26 near the Oregon Zoo in Portland. Officers responded to the eastbound side of the highway at the Sylvan exit around 1:43 a.m., police said.
The driver had already left the scene by the time officers arrived, and the pedestrian was pronounced dead there. The victim had not been identified as of Tuesday morning.
No arrests have been made. Authorities closed Highway 26 to eastbound traffic during the investigation, and it reopened around 7:45 a.m., according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The search for the driver remains active. Our condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
Why Are Overnight Hit-and-Run Cases So Hard to Solve?
Overnight hit-and-run cases involving pedestrians can be especially hard to piece together because there are fewer witnesses on the road at that hour. A vehicle can be gone within seconds, and evidence like paint transfer, broken glass, or vehicle parts left behind can be easy to miss without a wider search of the area.
Highways with limited pedestrian access, like Highway 26 through Portland’s West Hills, present unique challenges when someone ends up walking along or crossing the roadway. Drivers on these stretches typically expect only vehicle traffic and may not be watching for a person on foot, especially in low light.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dash cams sometimes becomes an important piece of the puzzle in these cases. Community tips can also make a significant difference, since even a partial license plate or a distinct vehicle description can help narrow down a search that might otherwise have very few leads.
