Hit-and-run victim found in middle of Oakland road identified

Justin Vellucci | Tuesday, August 15, 2023 2:51 p.m.

Tribune-Review

James Jerry Vas-Patterson, 23, was the fatal hit-and-run victim found dead Sunday night in Oakland, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office announced Tuesday.

Vas-Patterson, whose home address is unknown, was found by Pittsburgh police officers just before 10 p.m. in the middle of the road in the 2300 block of Second Avenue, authorities said. A cause or manner of death has not yet been determined.

The man identified Tuesday as Vas-Patterson had suffered severe head injuries, police spokeswoman Cara Cruz said. Officers began CPR until Medic Unit 7 pronounced him dead shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday.

Cruz identified the incident in the police blotter as a “fatal hit and run.” The collision investigation unit is investigating, she said.