UPDATE (Friday, Jan. 14) -- New arrest in Sept. 16 manslaughter

Please reference CCSO Case # 21-019997

After further investigation and forensic analysis of evidence by the Oregon State Crime Lab, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office detectives have determined that the driver of the suspect vehicle involved in the Sept. 16 manslaughter case was Aunajae Devine Smith, 22, of Portland. 

On Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, Sheriff's Office detectives arrested Aunajae Smith and transported her to Clackamas County Jail, where she was booked on charges including Manslaughter II, Recklessly Endangering, and Reckless Driving. Her bail was set at $255,000. Complete booking information is here: https://web3.clackamas.us/roster/#inmates

Anthony Lucero -- later determined by detectives to be the passenger in the suspect vehicle – was arrested on outstanding warrants on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, and is expected to be charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

ADDITIONAL TIPS, INFO SOUGHT: Anyone with additional information regarding the Sept. 16 manslaughter or Aunajae Devine Smith is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form. Please reference CCSO Case # 21-019997.

Our Sept. 21 release in this case is below.

[END UPDATE]

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EARLIER (Sept. 21, 2021) -- Sheriff's Office arrests Sept. 16 manslaughter / hit-and-run suspect

This afternoon (Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021), members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested Anthony Michael Lucero, 27, the suspect in a Sept. 16 Manslaughter case in unincorporated Clackamas County.

Shortly after 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a theft from Ross at 11211 SE 82nd Avenue in unincorporated Clackamas County. 

Sheriff's deputies arrived in the area, located the suspect vehicle, and attempted to stop the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle fled the scene. 

The suspect vehicle's driver -- identified as Anthony Michael Lucero -- failed to obey a traffic control device, entered the intersection of SE Bell Avenue and SE Johnson Creek Boulevard, and struck a vehicle in the intersection. Lucero then exited the suspect vehicle and ran from the scene, eluding authorities.

The driver of the vehicle stuck by Lucero can now be identified as Kris Lee Nickelson, 54, of Milwaukie. Mr. Nickelson was treated by deputies and Clackamas Fire paramedics at the scene and transported to a local hospital by AMR, where he later died. 

Mr. Nickelson's family is asking for privacy at this time.

Lucero's passenger in the suspect vehicle -- Aunajae Devine Smith, 22, of Portland -- was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. She later checked herself out of the hospital.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit, Milwaukie Police Department, and Portland Police Bureau assisted in the initial search for Lucero on Sept. 16.

The Clackamas County Inter-agency Major Crimes Team, Sheriff's Office detectives and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI), the Clackamas County DA's Office, and Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Technicians (CRAFT) responded to the crash scene to investigate.

Lucero is expected to be booked into the Clackamas County Jail later today (Tuesday, Sept. 21) on charges including Manslaughter and Hit and Run. 

ADDITIONAL TIPS, INFO SOUGHT: Anyone with additional information regarding the Sept. 16 manslaughter or the criminal activities of Anthony Michael Lucero is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip. Please reference CCSO Case # 21-019997.

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