Julie A. Fortin, a 45-year-old Beaverton resident, was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene on eastbound Highway 26 near the Oregon Zoo early Tuesday, July 28.

Portland Police Bureau officers arrived at 1:43 a.m. to find Fortin dead on the highway. The driver was gone.

The crash shut down eastbound Highway 26 at the Sylvan exit for nearly six hours, reopening around 7:30 a.m., according to KPTV. That stretch is the main commute route into Portland for Bethany, Cedar Mill, and West Haven-Sylvan residents who merge onto the Sunset Highway each morning.

The PPB Major Crash Team took over the investigation from Central Precinct officers. In its initial press release on July 28, the bureau said information about the vehicle involved was not being released. As of Thursday, July 30, no suspect vehicle description has been made public.

A Jeep was found at the scene, but police confirmed it was not the suspect's car. KPTV reported the Jeep appeared to have driven down through brush from the on-ramp and crashed onto the highway; its connection to the incident remains unexplained.

Police asking witnesses to come forward

As reported by KOIN 6 News on Thursday, July 30, the Portland Police Bureau said investigators believe people stopped at the crash scene but left before speaking with detectives. The bureau asked those individuals to contact police.

No suspect has been identified or arrested. The investigation is active and the case remains open.

Anyone with information can email [email protected] and reference case No. 26-218870.