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University of Oregon Defensive Back Arrested Over Fatal Hit-and-Run That Killed 46-Year-Old Man

Daylen Austin was initially charged with felony hit and run, the Eugene Police Department said in a release

<p>Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK</p> Oregon defensive back Daylen Austin during practice with the Oregon Ducks

Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Oregon defensive back Daylen Austin during practice with the Oregon Ducks

A University of Oregon football player has been arrested in connection to a fatal hit and run.

The Eugene Police Department (EPD) shared in a press release on social media that Daylen Amir Austin, 19, was arrested and initially charged with felony hit and run charges after allegedly hitting and killing a 46-year-old man.

Police said the hit and run occurred at W. 4th and Polk on Monday, April 15 at around around 9:10 p.m. Austin was taken into police custody a few hours later at around 11:45 p.m., according to the release.

The EPD noted that a “complex investigation” was ongoing as a result of the case and that authorities are “still gathering information” to submit to the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for a “final charging decision.”

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<p>Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images</p> Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon

Austin appeared in front of the judge on video call from jail and was arraigned on Wednesday, April 17, according to KPTV. He did not enter a plea at the time.

A neighbor who lived in the area, Seth Lockard, told the outlet that he heard a car driving at high speeds near his house, which was located near to where the hit and run happened. He said he had been trying to piece together what happened.

He told KPTV, “It sounds like he was just doing circles for about 10-15 minutes, going really fast. You could kind of hear car exhaust.”

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"My wife heard a thump and that was real rough,” he continued. “She didn’t put it together. She thought maybe he hit a tree or something, [but] then I heard a bunch of sirens. Then I went outside and saw the scene. All of these police cars and police tape and stuff. It was just really sad, and I was very angry.”

Lockard told the outlet that community members placed candles in the area in honor of the man who died — who was not identified by police.

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Austin, a freshman at the university, plays on the University of Oregon Ducks football team as a defensive back, according to the university’s athletics website. He is from Long Beach, Calif. and previously played at Long Beach Poly High.

He has played at least two football games with the Ducks so far during the 2023 season, according to ESPN.

Austin’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 22, per KPTV.

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