Barlow coach identified as driver in possible hit-and-run collision

High School employee Scott Vang reported hitting something later

By Mara Stine

The Gresham Outlook, Nov 3, 2009, Updated Nov 3, 2009

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A Sam Barlow High School coach has been identified as the driver in a possible hit-and-run collision that seriously injured a pedestrian just north of Aurora early on Halloween.

Larry Scott Vang, 46, of Salem hit the pedestrian with his white 2007 Toyota RAV sport utility vehicle while driving from Gresham to Salem, said Sgt. Dan Swift, a spokesman for Oregon State Police. Vang later called 9-1-1, reporting he might have struck something along Highway 99E north of Aurora.

The incident began at about 1 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, when police began receiving reports of a possibly intoxicated man walking down the middle of Highway 99E near Lone Elder Road just north of the Clackamas and Marion county line. Aurora and Canby police responded and found Benjamin Story, 23, of Aurora seriously injured and lying on the south side of the highway.

A LifeFlight helicopter transported Story to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center where he is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He is listed in fair condition.

Oregon State Police troopers investigated the scene and determined that an unknown model Toyota may have struck the pedestrian. They suspected the vehicle would have front end and hood damage.

After the initial investigation, troopers discovered that someone called 9-1-1 about 45 minutes after the reports of an intoxicated pedestrian walking on Highway 99E started coming in. The caller said he might have struck something in the same area of that highway.

Investigators looked at Vang’s vehicle and confirmed that it was the one that hit Story. Vang was driving to his Salem home from Gresham following a Friday night football game that ran into overtime when the incident occurred, said Jim Schlachter, assistant superintendent for the Gresham-Barlow School District.

Vang is an assistant football coach, head softball coach and is employed as a campus supervisor/monitor for Sam Barlow High School in Gresham.

No citations have been issued or arrests made. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call OSP Senior Trooper Jason Lindland at 503 731-3020, ext. 457.