Oregon Football Player Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run Incident

A University of Oregon football player is facing criminal charges in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left one man dead.

Daylen Austin, 19, was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon and charged with failing to perform the duties of a driver in a crash that took place in Eugene on Monday, according to a report from the Eugene Register-Guard.

According to Eugene Police spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin, the incident occurred just after 9 p.m. local time Monday in a residential neighborhood located about two miles from downtown Eugene.

Police confirmed that a 46-year-old man died as a result of the hit-and-run, though they have not yet identified the victim. A witness stated that it appeared the driver ran down the victim, who was a pedestrian, stressing that it was not a two-car crash.

Oregon DB Daylen Austin was arrested last night for a hit and run

The hit and run resulted in the death of a 46 year old man.

Tragic. pic.twitter.com/Qqs0eNUT6S

— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) April 17, 2024

“My wife heard a thump, and that was real rough. She didn’t put it together. She thought maybe he hit a tree or something; then I heard a bunch of sirens. Then I went outside and saw the scene,” said local resident Seth Lockard, who witnessed the crash.  “All of these police cars and police tape and stuff. It was just really sad, and I was very angry.”

Austin was arrested at his apartment roughly two hours after the crash, according to a report from USAToday. “We are aware of the incident and are awaiting additional information,” an Oregon athletics spokesperson told the Register-Guard in an email.

Austin, who played as a defensive back for the Ducks, played in three games during the squad’s successful 2023-24 campaign. He recorded three tackles and one pass deflection during that time.

“I have no updates right now. I know Daylen’s character and I think there are a lot of details that will continue to play out. Beyond that, I’m not going to speak on it any more than that,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning.