An Astoria man has been charged with manslaughter after a fatal hit and run Sunday morning that took place on 16th Street and Irving Avenue.

Michael M. Smith, 50, was taken into custody after allegedly fleeing the scene and striking another vehicle on 17th Street. He was apprehended in the 1700 block of Jerome Avenue.

The victim, Patricia Harrison, 77, of Astoria, died at the scene.

Smith was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in the second degree, driving under the influence of intoxicants, recklessly endangering another person, and failing to do the duties of a driver involving property damage and injury. He remained in custody Monday morning in the Clatsop County Jail

The Astoria Police and Fire departments responded to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian near 16th Street and Irving Avenue at 9:18 a.m.

Witnesses told police the male driver left the scene in a minivan and hit a vehicle driven by Astoria resident Carissa Conklin near 17th Street and Irving Avenue.

“I didn’t even see him honestly until I knew he was going to hit me,” Conklin told KMUN, adding, “I knew he was going to hit me, and I thought I was going to die.”

Conklin was on her way to pick up a friend when the man struck the front of her car, sending her spinning.

Conklin climbed out of the wreckage of her car. Then she and others in the neighborhood took photos of the man’s license plate while he was trying to get his van moving again. He backed up, nearly hitting Conklin, and then sped up Jerome Avenue.

Police officers located the suspect and his van near Jerome Avenue and took him into custody.

16th Street between Irving and Grand avenues was closed for several hours while Oregon State Police reconstructionists examined the scene. The Clatsop Major Crimes Team is assisting in the investigation.

The Astoria Police Department is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Madyson Hanna at 503-325-4411 or by email at mhanna@astoria.gov.