Crews respond to the crash that killed 41-year-old bicyclist Jimilee "Jason" Thomas of Bend Friday afternoon on Highway 99. The crash investigation closed Highway 99 well into the evening.

Police have identified a Bend man as the bicyclist killed in a Friday afternoon crash that closed South Pacific Highway in Medford into the evening.

The victim of the reported hit-and-run is 41-year-old Jimilee “Jason” Thomas, Medford police Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick said Monday.

Citing a litany of still-pending investigations, police declined to identify the motorist involved in the accident until charges, if any, are filed, according to an email to the Rogue Valley Times from Kirkpatrick.

“We are not releasing the name of the vehicle driver at this time,” Kirkpatrick said. “We are still actively working through this investigation and will update when we are able.”

The crash was first reported at 3:23 p.m. Friday. According to Kirkpatrick, Thomas was traveling south in the southbound bike lane on South Pacific Highway when he was struck by the vehicle.

Police stated in a Saturday post on an official social media page that the driver drifted into the bike lane before striking Thomas.

“The driver of the vehicle did not stop and fled the scene,” Medford police stated in the post. “Medford police officers located the suspect vehicle in a nearby parking lot and detained the driver.”

The driver involved was detained but not charged, according to Kirkpatrick. Until the suspect is formally charged, police will not release the driver’s name, he said.

“No one has been formally charged with a crime at this point,” Kirkpatrick said. “When and if that changes, we will provide an update.”

Kirkpatrick described fatal crash investigations as “extremely delicate and time intensive,” and which can include “physical evidence, technology evidence, mechanical inspections, chemical tests, witness interviews, video gathering, etc.”

“It may be some time before we get a full picture and consult with a DA for any possible charging decisions,” Kirkpatrick said.

Thomas, the crash victim, worked as a chef in the Bend area, according to his Facebook page. When reached for comment, his wife, Nikki, provided a statement through her lawyer, Erik Hasselman with Springfield law firm Leahy Cox, LLP. Nikki Thomas did speak with KTVZ-TV in Bend this past weekend.

Nikki Thomas in her statement said her husband was “an amazing man” and “one of the nicest people you could ever meet.”

She said she is “overwhelmed and appreciative” for the outpouring of community support, but asked for privacy while she grieves.

“For now, I would ask you to respect my right and need to grieve until we have more answers,” she said.

She called losing her husband “completely devastating,” and she expressed trust in the investigation.

“For now, I am hopeful the Medford Police Department investigators can efficiently and completely piece the facts of this tragedy together,” Nikki Thomas said. “There should be accountability for the senseless devastation caused to Jason’s family and me.”