Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash Near Winston; Authorities Seeking Suspect Vehicle

A 30-year-old Canyonville man was struck and killed early Sunday morning in a hit-and-run collision on Highway 42, and investigators are now searching for the driver who fled the scene.

According to the Oregon State Police, troopers were called to the area near milepost 76, close to Grant Smith Road and the Taco Bell restaurant, at around 1:08 a.m. on October 12. When they arrived, they found a pedestrian, identified as Dustin Rios of Canyonville, who had been hit by an eastbound vehicle while in the roadway for reasons still under investigation. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, Rios died at the scene.

Investigators believe the suspect vehicle is a 2006–2011 black Honda Civic with noticeable damage to the driver’s side mirror. A transparent adhesive window visor, likely from the driver’s side door, was recovered from the scene. The car was last seen traveling eastbound toward Interstate 5 and may have continued northbound after the crash.

Highway 42 remained closed for roughly four hours while investigators documented the scene and collected evidence.

Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect vehicle is urged to contact the OSP Southern Command dispatch center at 800-442-2068 or dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Callers should reference case number SP25-433741.

The investigation is being led by the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Winston Police Department, Douglas County Emergency Services, Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.