KCTV 5Former Kansas man killed in Portland, OR, hit-and-run

A Johnson County family is mourning the loss of their son who was hit and killed by a driver in Oregon who didn't stop.

Friends and family will mourn Jason Grant's death in his home town of Overland Park at the Atonement Lutheran Church this weekend. Back where he lived, police in Portland, OR, are still looking for the driver who killed him.

Jason Grant, 26, was Jane Allen's only son.

He followed in his mother's musical footsteps learning how to play the violin. He taught himself to play the cello and guitar and eventually landed in a band.

"He was a songwriter. Really studied music. He was pretty multifaceted," said Jane Allen.

Grant's band, Sterilize Stereo, played in Lawrence and other hot spots in the metro but moved to Portland for the music scene five years ago. Last Saturday, Grant walked to the store from a friend's house in Portland.

"Jake (Grant's friend) said he didn't come back and he went out looking for him, and by that time, police were there," said Jane Allen.

Grant had been struck by a driver of a pickup as he was crossing the street. Witnesses stopped to take care of Grant while the driver got away.

"They need to come forward. It will be hard, but it's up to them to do the right thing," said Ron Allen, Grant's uncle.

An ambulance transported him to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries, police say.

"The people who live there said there was no crosswalk and the lighting was abysmal and people have been complaining for years," said Jane Allen.

The mother hopes that through her son's death, more attention is brought to that area and attention to the driver who is still out there.

"If we can save someone, I'm not going to say it's worth the loss - it's not, but if it can change things then that's what we have to do," said Jane Allen.

Police in Portland are still looking for truck that left the scene, a two-wheel drive, 1997 to 2000 Toyota Tacoma with possible front end and hood damage.

A candlelight vigil for Grant is planned in Portland for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the scene of the crash.

A memorial service will be held at Atonement Lutheran Church Saturday at 1 p.m. in Overland Park. The church is located at 99th Street and Metcalf Avenue. Friends of Grant are flying into town with his ashes, which will be buried in Kansas.

Additionally, the victim's family is establishing a Jason Grant Memorial Scholarship fund. There are two ways to donate. Make checks out to: 

Payable to Portland State University, Memo: Jason Grant Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, send to: Portland State University School of Fine & Performing Arts Dean's Office, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207 

or

Payable to UMKC, Memo: Jason Grant Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Administrative Center 229, Kansas City, MO 64110

Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.)  All rights reserved.  KPTV contributed to this report.