DAYTON–Investigations by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Patrol have not turned up any new information regarding the identity of the individual who drove a van on a Main Street sidewalk here May 20. The incident is being classified as a hit and run, according to Trooper Christopher Thorson.
The incident, reported in the Dayton Chronicle's May 27 edition, involved a grey 2007 Dodge Caravan registered to Charles Lowe of Dayton, Thorson said. The vehicle may have been bought and sold a number of times since being owned by Lowe, with the parties involved neglecting to report the sales or title transfers. Determining the registered owner by license plate number has led to no new clues, Thorson said.
At about 10 a.m. on May 20, an unknown driver of the van entered the sidewalk in the 200 block of Main Street, struck the building at 245 Main Street, a sign post and scattered bistro chairs before departing down the alley at the Weinhard Hotel, and driving away. The van sustained damage, such as a missing headlight, Thorson said.
The investigation was initially undertaken by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and was turned over to the Washington State Patrol. Trooper Tanner Dennison investigated and there were no new leads as far as the identity of the driver.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident may call Trooper Christopher Thorson at 509-731-8964.