Who struck Avery Roy Shipman with a car on May 10, 1970?
On the evening of May 10, 1970, Avery Roy Shipman, a 38-year-old man, was driving east on Highway 8 in Aloha, Oregon. Accompanying him in the vehicle were his wife and mother. As dusk settled, their journey was violently interrupted by a brown 1964 Chevrolet station wagon that abruptly cut them off and then hindered their attempts to pass. Eventually, the driver of the station wagon pulled over to the side of the road, and Shipman pulled his own vehicle over in front of it.
Shipman exited his car and walked toward the rear of his vehicle, intending to speak with the other driver. In a sudden and horrific turn of events, the driver of the station wagon accelerated, striking Shipman. The impact resulted in severe head trauma, and he died at the scene. The station wagon, carrying two occupants, fled the scene, continuing eastbound toward Beaverton.
In the immediate aftermath, a witness by the name of Charles Cromwell approached the investigating detectives. Cromwell stated that he had been a hitchhiker in the suspect's car and had witnessed the entire incident. He could not, however, provide the name of the driver. The driver was described as being between 19 and 22 years of age, with brown wavy hair and sideburns, and was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Despite this witness account, the case remains unsolved to this day, and no arrests have been made in connection with Avery Roy Shipman's death. The case is considered a cold case, but authorities have noted that there is no statute of limitations for murder.
