Local deputy killed 6 years ago, suspect remains on the loose

MARION COUNTY, OR (KPTV) - A Marion County deputy responding to an emergency was killed in a crash, leading to the death of a passenger in the other car six years ago.

The driver of that car remains on the loose today.

Deputy Kelly Fredinburg was hit and killed on Highway 99 E north of Gervais on Sunday, June 16, 2007. Fredinburg was 33 years old.

Investigators said Fredinburg was driving to an emergency call at 11:30 p.m. that night when his patrol car was hit head-on by a car driven by Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio.

Fredinburg's car caught fire and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Oscar Ascencio-Amaya, 19, was in the other car and he died the next day at the hospital. A second passenger received minor injuries.

De Jesus Ascencio turned 26 in January. He was treated for critical injuries at the time of the crash. Investigators later learned he fled the U.S. to Mexico around the time of his indictment for criminally negligent homicide in August 2007.

Investigators believe he remains in Mexico. He was last thought to be in the area of Puacuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

Last year, Fredinburg's family announced the Oregon Officer Reward Fund. Its purpose is to help find suspects wanted in connection with officer injuries or deaths in the line of duty. The reward in this case is $20,000.

Crime Stoppers is offering an additional $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

For more information about the Oregon Officer Reward Fund, go to www.oorf.info.