A 46-year-old man tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run, and a star football player from the University of Oregon has been arrested in connection with the tragedy.
After sharing disturbing details about the event on Monday night, authorities accused 19-year-old Daylen Amir Austin of felony hit-and-run.
The college campus is about three miles away from the scene of what was first called in as a stabbing incident reported to dispatch around 9:15 p.m. The lifeless body was found lying on the road, with severe cuts to the neck.
About two hours after the hit-and-run event, at about 11:45 p.m., Austin was confronted by police at his apartment.
The reason for the 911 call describing the event as a stabbing remains unexplained by investigators. That the matter is “complex” is all they have said.
Austin was arraigned at Lane County Jail on Wednesday. He is a sophomore defensive running back.
According to The Oregonian, the 19-year-old did not enter a plea at his arraignment. After that, Judge Kamala Shugar of the circuit court granted him conditional freedom.
The death is under investigation by the authorities, who will decide whether to bring charges after reviewing the evidence. The district attorney’s office for Lane County will make the ultimate decision on whether or not to press charges.
Locals told reporters they had heard a loud car in the area just before the collision.
A neighbor, Seth Lockard, listened to what sounded like a high-speed vehicle tearing through Polk and Fourth Streets.
From where he was standing, he said it seemed like he had been circling at great speed for ten to fifteen minutes.
Locals have spoken about how their street is known to be a popular alternative for cars looking to avoid a congested major route.