Oregon State Police Seek Coast Range Hit-and-Run Suspect Who May Have Left U.S.

Published 07/24/25 at 1:25 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Tillamook, Oregon) – State authorities are looking for a Tillamook man believed to have left the country after he allegedly caused an accident in the Oregon Coast Range, one that resulted in the death of a teen.

On July 12, Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to a hit-and-run incident on Highway 18 in Tillamook County, arriving at the Grand Ronde-area incident about 3:15 a.m.

Initial investigations by OSP indicated a white Honda Civic was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 14 when it hit a black Nissan Altima on the side of the road, stranded there because of a flat tire. Outside the Nissan were three 17-year-old males changing the flat: they were all struck by the Honda.

The Honda did not stop after hitting the vehicle and those outside, instead continuing east.

OSP said driving the Honda was 34-year-old Tillamook resident Alejandro Christopher Velazquez Lopez.

“All three male juveniles were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries,” OSP said. “A 17-year-old female passenger was inside the Nissan at the time of the crash and was not injured.”

Highway 18 - Oregon Coast Beach Connection

OSP detectives from the Major Crime Sectio were called to investigate but they were unable to find Lopez.

Two days later, on July 14, OSP was notified that one of the teens died from the injuries sustained in the crash. The crash incident was then considered a fatal one.

It is now believed that Lopez has left the U.S. and there is an active warrant for his arrest.

“The highway was impacted for approximately 11.5 hours during the on-scene investigation,” OSP said.

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal Police, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Highway 18 in this part of the north Oregon coast is not as statistically as dangerous as nearby Highway 6. That section of the coast range saw a record run of injuries and fatalities back in 2021. See Three Fatal Wrecks Along Hwy 6: Oregon Coast Leaders Urge Caution

See Oregon Coast Highway, Coast Range Passes Traffic, Road Conditions | | Portland, Oregon Highway Traffic, Road Conditions - Traffic Cams: I-5 - I-205 - I-405 - Hwy 217 - I-84

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