SHERWOOD, Ore. — Sherwood police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who they said injured a man and his dog while they were on a walk. It happened just after 5 p.m. last Wednesday evening.
Police said Randy Magley, 67, and his black lab, Bella, were crossing Southwest Division Street at the intersection of Division and Main Street. Police said that's when the driver of a silver Chevy Suburban turned into them. Magley said the force of impact threw him about 25 feet, and Bella's harness got caught in the vehicle's undercarriage, pinning her.
"I remember hitting the ground and all I heard is her wailing," said Magley. "I kinda looked up and (the driver) was trying to move forward over the top of her."
Magley said the driver, a white man, kept revving his engine as Magley begged him to stop. Magley noted the license plate on the suspect's vehicle included the numbers 619.
"He finally backed his car off and (Bella) hobbled off about four feet and collapsed," said Magley.
Police said the driver took off. Somehow, Magley walked away with just scrapes and bruises, but he said Bella was barely hanging on. When Sherwood police arrived, Magley said Officer Bronson Ramos drove both of them to the nearest veterinary hospital.
"My vet said his fast action most likely saved her life," said Magley. "She's just got a really special place in my heart ... I don't know what I would do without her."
Magley said Bella suffered a severe gash on her left wrist, lost the pads on her foot and will need reconstructive surgery. He said vet bills have already topped $5,000. Magley's daughter started a GoFundMe to help with the bills.
"I didn't even know what GoFundMe was," said Magley. "I appreciate anybody who's done that. That's very kind."
As police work to find leads on the suspect, Magley remains by Bella's side.
"I want her to be happy and more than anything I just don't want her to be in this pain," said Magley. "I know it's really, really hurting her."
The Sherwood Police Department asked anyone with information on the crash, suspect, or the vehicle to contact the non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case 243181009.