CHP identifies suspect vehicle in fatal hit-and-run crash near Oroville

(FOX40.COM) — The California Highway Patrol said investigators have identified a suspect vehicle connected to a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed an Oroville man earlier this month in Butte County. According to the CHP, officers responded May 17 to reports of a pedestrian down along State Route 162 near Kampong Court. Emergency crews found an unresponsive man, later identified by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office as Michael Lloyd Blair of Oroville. Blair was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators determined Blair had been struck by a vehicle during the overnight hours between May 16 and May 17 while he was within the roadway, CHP officials said. Evidence collected at the scene led investigators to identify the suspect vehicle as a gray Kia Telluride. CHP reported that investigators used multiple law enforcement resources and technologies, including Flock camera systems, to identify and locate both the vehicle and a person of interest connected to the collision. Authorities later examined the vehicle and confirmed it was involved in the incident. The driver of the Kia Telluride was interviewed by investigators, but no arrest was made because of limitations in the preliminary investigation, CHP said. Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and the case will be submitted to the Butte County District Attorney’s Office with a recommendation to file charges of felony hit-and-run that resulted in death and injury. Anyone with information related to the collision is asked to contact the CHP Oroville Area office.