State troopers seek suspect in fatal Ocean Shores hit and run

The victim was struck and killed around New Year’s Eve

A bicyclist killed in a hit-and-run crash around New Years 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, 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-2000’s to early 2010’s silver Nissan Rogue, Weatherwax said, and 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.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.