A bicyclist killed in a hit-and-run crash around New Year’s Eve near Ocean Shores has been identified, after his next of kin were notified.
A man was found dead Monday afternoon on the side of state Route 115 across from the entrance to Ocean City State Park by a passerby, said Trooper Katherine Weatherwax in a phone interview. He has been identified by Grays Harbor County Coroner George Kelley as Robert D. Westby, 55, of Aberdeen.
"He was either hit New Year's Eve night or sometime early that morning," Weatherwax said. "We don't have a driver. We found those pieces to a vehicle."
Based on the vehicle debris around Westby, state police are looking for a late-2000s to early 2010s silver Nissan Rogue, Weatherwax said. Investigators are seeking information about the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash.
In the event of striking a pedestrian, the best thing to do is to immediately stop and call 911, Weatherwax said. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs played a role in the fatal crash.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Osberg by phone at 360-473-0300, ext. 0, or at Michael.Osberg@wsp.wa.gov.
