Alexis McDonald Killed in Salem Hit-and-Run Accident
The suspect was arrested on charges including DUI and hit-and-run after striking two pedestrians on a sidewalk
Alexis Leigh McDonald, 32, of Salem, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on 17th Street NE on Aug. 3, according to the Salem Police Department.
Tristen Glen Wilson, 28, was arrested and arraigned on charges including driving under the influence of intoxicants, failure to perform duties of a driver to injured persons, driving while suspended, and possession of cocaine. He remains in custody at the Marion County Jail.
The northbound vehicle veered off the road at approximately 9:14 p.m. and struck two people walking on the sidewalk before fleeing the scene. Paramedics took McDonald to Salem Hospital, where she died from her injuries two days later. The second pedestrian, a 45-year-old man, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Officers later tracked down the suspect and took him into custody.
The crash remains under investigation.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run leaves families grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions. While the criminal justice system pursues charges against the driver, civil investigations often run parallel to uncover the full scope of liability.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "After a driver disappears from a catastrophic collision, whatever evidence remains tends to be scattered and incomplete, a few paint chips, a broken headlight fragment, nothing that tells a full story alone. Piecing those fragments together demands patience and a methodical approach."
"A skilled legal team works alongside specialists to assemble scattered clues into something a court can rely on," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do investigators build a DUI hit-and-run case on 17th Street NE?
When a driver flees a crash scene, detectives rely on physical evidence left behind, such as vehicle debris, tire marks, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses. In cases involving suspected impairment, establishing a timeline of the driver's whereabouts prior to the collision is critical for both criminal prosecution and potential civil claims.
Beyond the immediate criminal charges, families of victims often face complex insurance hurdles, particularly when the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
What are the trends for fatal hit-and-run crashes in Oregon?
Fatal hit-and-run crashes in Oregon nearly doubled over a decade, rising from 16 in 2011 to 31 in 2021, according to Oregon Department of Transportation data. Nationally, hit-and-run incidents account for about 15% of all police-reported crashes, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported.
Oregon wrongful death statute
Under ORS § 30.020, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Oregon applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
"Crash reconstruction is meant to answer difficult questions by carefully examining physical evidence instead of relying on assumptions," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel may arrange an independent review when needed, helping surviving relatives understand the available evidence while protecting important family interests."