WALLOWA COUNTY — An incident that left a Hermiston man dead July 8 from a stab wound at Hells Canyon Overlook in southeastern Wallowa County remains on hold until after the first of the year.

Wallowa County District Attorney Rebecca Frolander said Wednesday, Dec. 21, that she declines to discuss the case until after the holiday season. She said she’ll release more on the case — including whether it will go before a grand jury — after the first of the year.

The incident involved an as-yet unidentified motorcyclist from Albany who stopped at the overlook. Dan Ridling of Hermiston stopped there, too.

At some point, Ridling reportedly confronted the alleged stabber, was distracted and the latter used the distraction to pull a fixed-blade sheath knife similar to a hunting knife. He allegedly stabbed Ridling, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

County Sheriff Joel Fish called it a “road rage” incident, which was confirmed by Undersheriff Billy Wells, who was investigating the case.

However, Frolander said, “It depends how you define ‘road rage.’”

Fish said at the time of the incident that the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Unit was requested and responded to assist with the investigation.

The man who is believed to have done the stabbing cooperated with the investigation, Fish said. Ridling’s wife, who was not named, also was interviewed.

Ridling’s son has disputed the “road rage” characterization, saying his parents stopped at the overlook to use the restroom.