6 Years Later, Fugitive Sought in Fatal Crash That Killed Marion County Deputy Still Not Located

Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio has been sought by police since he was indicted August 3, 2007 by a Marion County Grand Jury on two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide.

Suspect Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio is now 26

(SALEM OR) - Sunday, June 16, is the sixth anniversary of the death of Marion County Deputy Kelly Fredinburg who was killed in a late night traffic crash involving another vehicle on Highway 99E north of Gervais. The driver of the other involving vehicle, Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio, is still a fugitive wanted for two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide for causing the death his 19-year old passenger and Deputy Fredinburg. A $20,000 reward is still available for information that leads to the arrest of De Jesus Ascencio. (See our reports below from six years ago, about the tragic loss of this Marion County deputy)

Last year, Deputy Fredinburg's family announced the establishment of the "Oregon Officer Reward Fund" that will be used in this and future cases to help find suspects wanted in connection with line of duty police officer injury or death criminal investigations in Oregon. This is the first case to be supported by the "Oregon Officer Reward Fund" to help investigators find the fugitive responsible for the death of Deputy Fredinburg. This reward is in addition to $1,000 offered by Crime Stoppers (#07-28) for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio, who turned 26 years of age in January 2013, has been sought by the Marion County District Attorney's Office, Oregon State Police (OSP) and Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) since he was indicted August 3, 2007 by a Marion County Grand Jury on two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide.

On June 16, 2007 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Deputy Fredinburg was enroute to an emergency call southbound on Highway 99E north of Gervais when his patrol car was struck head-on by a northbound vehicle driven by De Jesus Ascencio. Deputy Fredinburg's patrol car caught fire and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Fredinburg joined MCSO in August 2006 after working the previous six years for the Polk County Sheriff's Office. He was 33 years old when he died.

Nineteen-year old passenger, Oscar Ascencio-Amaya, died from his injuries the following day at a Portland-area hospital. A second passenger received minor injuries.

De Jesus Ascencio, who was 20 years of age at the time of the crash, was treated for critical injuries at a Portland-area hospital. Investigators learned later that he fled the U.S. to Mexico around the time he was indicted August 3, 2007 and an arrest warrant was signed by a judge. Investigators believe De JESUS ASCENCIO is currently at an unknown location in Mexico. He was last believed to be in the area of Puacuaro, Muichoacan, Mexico.

The Fredinburg family worked closely with law enforcement officials to establish the reward fund available to help law enforcement arrest persons wanted in connection with line-of-duty police injury and death criminal investigations. Over $25,000 has been raised to date for the "Oregon Officer Reward Fund" (OORF).

Contributions to the reward fund for use in future cases can be made by:

* Go to any US Bank branch to make a donation to "Oregon Officer Reward Fund"
* Via PayPal on the OORF website www.oorf.info
* Send a check made out to "Oregon Officer Reward Fund" and mail to:
OORF c/o - Oregon State Sheriff's Association
PO Box 7468
Salem, OR 97303

Anyone with information related to this investigation to help locate De Jesus Ascencio can report tips by phone at: * In Oregon, call 800-452-7888

* From anywhere in the United States for English and Spanish speakers to the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, refer to case #07-28, (bilingual call takers), call 1-503-823-HELP (4357) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

* Residents within Mexico can call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, refer to case #07-28, (bilingual call takers) at +011-503-823-4357

Email tips can be sent to crimetips2OSP@state.or.us.

Information should have as much detail as possible and contact information. Tips should include specific details including the type of case and information related to the criminal investigation. Even though tips may be received anonymously, those providing tips are encouraged to give contact information for follow-up by the investigator(s), if needed.

Additional information shared during an August 2012 news conference is available on the OSP website at http://www.oregon.gov/osp/NEWSRL/pages/news/08_06_2012_fredinburg_reward.aspx.

Jun-17-2007: Marion County Deputy Sheriff, Father of Two, Killed in Car Crash

Jun-18-2007: Marion County Sheriff's Deputy, Teen, Killed in Head on Crash

Jun-18-2007: Men Returning from Wedding Involved in Fatal Crash

Jun-19-2007: Memorial Service for Marion County Deputy Kelly Fredinburg Set

Jun-20-2007: Salem-Area Traffic Alert: Marion County Sheriff Deputy Funeral Procession Has Ended

Aug-15-2007: Oregon Police Seek Man Over Homicide Involving Deputy

Apr-28-2008: The Drive to Remember Fallen Officers in 2008