Eugene police arrest 47-year-old man months after hit-and-run seriously injured bicyclist, truck owner allegedly reported vehicle stolen to police

Eugene, OR – Eugene police arrested a 47-year-old man Monday in connection with a July hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a bicyclist on River Road.

The crash happened around 8:41 p.m. July 4 near Springwood Drive. Police said a witness reported that a Chevrolet Silverado struck the female bicyclist before continuing away from the scene. The witness also said the truck appeared to be driven by someone who was impaired.

Officers later located the truck’s owner in Gardiner. Police said she had reported the Silverado stolen from Florence on the day of the crash, but investigators determined that report was false.

Eugene police detectives, assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, located Dallas Silva, 47, of Reedsport, in Gardiner Monday and arrested him. Police determined Silva was driving the truck at the time of the crash and was the spouse of the vehicle’s owner.

Silva was lodged in the Lane County Jail on charges of third-degree assault, failure to perform the duties of a driver causing serious injury, reckless driving, perjury and initiating a false report.

The truck involved in the crash has not been located. Police described it as a silver 2010 Chevrolet Silverado with Oregon license plate 349LKZ, a modified lift, oversized tires and a silver canopy. It also had damage to the front passenger side.

Anyone with information about the truck or the crash is asked to contact the Eugene Police Department at 541-682-5111 and reference case 26-10185.