Seaside, Ore. – December 9, 2019 – On December 7, 2019 at approximately 8:16 p.m., Seaside Police responded to the area of 12th and N. Holladay for a report of a pedestrian having been struck by a vehicle. After further investigation, it was determined Erick Yetzael Mendez Lopez, 22, had been driving northbound on N. Holladay and struck a stopped vehicle, causing significant damage. Mendez Lopez continued northbound and then struck Justin Powell, 36, who was walking across the street through the intersection. Mendez Lopez continued further north on N. Holladay, fleeing the scene of the motor vehicle and pedestrian crash, having failed to render aid to Powell and exchange information required at the scene of a crash.

Seaside Officers arrived moments after the reported crash was dispatched and with help from several witnesses, officers were able to locate Mendez Lopez walking on 15th Avenue between Holladay and Roosevelt Dr. Probable cause was developed to believe Mendez Lopez was operating his vehicle under the influence of intoxicants. Mendez Lopez was cooperative throughout the investigation and provided a BAC of 0.15%. Mendez Lopez was later transported to the Clatsop County Jail on the charges of: 

• Assault III 
• Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) 
• Reckless Driving
• Two counts of Reckless Endangering Another Person
• Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver: Injured Person
• Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver: Property Damage 

Due to the serious injuries Powell received he was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Trauma Unit. Authorities are asking that if you were a witness to the incident and have not already been contacted by police to please call the Seaside Police Department at 503-738-6311 as soon as possible. 

**end of release**