Washington County Sheriff's deputies arrested an 81-year-old Rock Creek woman on July 25 for the hit-and-run crash that left a 74-year-old Beaverton cyclist in critical condition the day before.

Kathleen Priepke was cited for failure to perform the duties of a driver when a person is injured, the charge commonly known as hit and run, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies also seized her 2013 Ford Edge, the vehicle involved in the crash.

Priepke lives in the Rock Creek neighborhood, close to where the collision occurred, the sheriff's office said.

How the crash unfolded

The crash happened July 24 just after 4 p.m. at the intersection of NW West Union Road and NW Neakahnie Avenue in unincorporated Washington County.

The 74-year-old man was riding his bicycle eastbound on NW West Union Road when a westbound SUV turned left in front of him and struck him, according to the sheriff's office.

The driver did not stop. She fled south on NW Neakahnie Avenue.

A nurse who happened to be at the scene provided care until paramedics arrived and transported the cyclist to a hospital with critical injuries, the sheriff's office said. No update on the cyclist's condition has been released since the day of the crash.

How deputies identified the vehicle

The inter-agency Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team responded to investigate.

During the collision, the SUV's side mirror broke off and was left at the scene. Deputies used that mirror to narrow the suspect vehicle to a gray 2011-to-2015 Ford Edge, which ultimately led them to Priepke and her 2013 model.

The investigation remains open. No court date or additional charges have been announced. The case number is 50-26-10430.

Local context

In a recent Washington County case involving the same charge, a judge imposed a 30-day jail sentence.

On Wednesday, July 15, Judge sentenced Ashley Nicole Cruz to 30 days in jail, three years of probation, and a license suspension through July 2031 after Cruz pleaded guilty in connection with the September 2023 hit-and-run death of 45-year-old Maria Del Consuelo Negrete of Tigard.

How to help

Anyone who witnessed the July 24 crash and has not yet spoken to deputies can call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case 50-26-10430.