Driver Identified In Protest Hit And Run

The driver who allegedly struck a Black Unity protester and left the scene has been identified as Travis Paul Waleri, 34, according to Eugene police.

Investigators are still canvassing the area where the incident occurred, looking for video. Police said eyewitness accounts differ on what happened.

The victim, Isiah Wagoner, 29, is recovering from his injuries.

The incident occurred Sunday night during a children’s march near the intersection of N. Adams and Clark streets. Witnesses told police that Wagoner tried to block the car from potentially hitting the children, but was struck before the driver sped off toward the Rivers Edge Townhomes.

Police said protesters located Waleri’s car and called police. But they also spotted a piece of mail inside the car that led them to his exact address and tried to get him to leave the apartment.

Law enforcement described a “tense” situation before Waleri was detained and placed in a police vehicle.

“I’m completely disgusted,” said Clea Ibrahim, a leader of Black Unity. “This is why the children were chanting ‘kids for change’, this is why the kids were chanting ‘Black Lives Matter,’ this is why they were chanting ‘My little light I’m going to let it shine.'”