EUGENE, Ore. – A 24-year-old man was arrested in Springfield on Wednesday after being accused of fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run accident that occurred last month in downtown Eugene. Daquan Gabari Rucker, who was booked into the Lane County Jail, faces charges as a fugitive from another state, stemming from an unrelated case in Orange County, Florida.
Rucker was arrested by Springfield police, with the fugitive charge tied to a property damage and criminal mischief case involving damages of $1,000 or more. As of now, Rucker has not been charged in connection with the hit-and-run incident that occurred on January 21.
According to witnesses, Rucker was driving a blue Volkswagen Beetle when he struck a pedestrian just after 3 p.m. at the intersection of Pearl Street and East Eighth Avenue. The pedestrian, who was in a crosswalk, was thrown approximately 20 feet into the air by the impact.
Court records indicate that Rucker allegedly told witnesses he would park the car and return. He parked the vehicle in the city hall surface lot on Pearl Street, then fled the scene on foot before police could arrive.
The identity and condition of the victim remain unclear, but the crash has raised concern about pedestrian safety in the area. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the hit-and-run, and additional charges for Rucker could be forthcoming.
This arrest comes as Eugene police continue to investigate the incident and work to determine whether Rucker will face formal charges related to the hit-and-run.
