The fatal Lincoln City crash occurred on Friday, February 20, 2026, in the area of Northwest 15th Street on Highway 101. Officers responded to reports of a vehicle that had struck a pedestrian.
Lincoln City, OR – An 80-year-old man was killed in a pedestrian crash on Highway 101 in Lincoln City on Friday, according to the Lincoln City Police Department.
The fatal Lincoln City crash occurred on Friday, February 20, 2026, in the area of Northwest 15th Street on Highway 101. Officers responded to reports of a vehicle that had struck a pedestrian.
When officers arrived, they found 80-year-old Joseph Koffend of Lincoln City injured on the street after being hit by a vehicle. Emergency responders from North Lincoln Fire and Rescue and Pacific West Ambulance provided medical care at the scene before Koffend was transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, he was later pronounced deceased.
With the assistance of witnesses and area surveillance cameras, investigators identified the driver of the suspect vehicle as 45-year-old Juan Antonio Suarez Jimenez, also of Lincoln City. Authorities said Suarez Jimenez allegedly attempted to conceal the involved vehicle, which was later located outside city limits and seized under a search warrant. On February 22, 2026, Suarez Jimenez turned himself in at the Lincoln City Police Department. He was arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on a charge of Failure to Perform Duties of Driver to Injured Persons (ORS 811.705), a Class B felony. The Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case for potential additional charges.
The cause of the fatal pedestrian crash remains under investigation as authorities continue to examine the circumstances leading up to the collision.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Pacific West Ambulance, the Lincoln County Major Crash Team, and the Oregon Department of Transportation, which helped with traffic control. The Oregon State Police and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office also assisted by handling calls for service while officers investigated the crash.
The pedestrian collision significantly impacted traffic along Highway 101 as authorities secured the area and conducted the on-scene investigation.
The incident remains under investigation by the Lincoln City Police Department.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon recorded 599 traffic fatalities in 2022, with pedestrians accounting for a significant portion of those deaths. Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that pedestrian fatalities have risen in recent years, with more than 7,500 pedestrian deaths recorded across the United States in 2022.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident, speaking with a skilled wrongful death attorney can help you understand your legal rights during this difficult time. An attorney can guide your family through the claims process, protect your interests, and pursue compensation for your loss. Reach out today for compassionate legal support and a free case evaluation.