POLICE say they have found the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash in downtown Portland that injured three people walking on a sidewalk on Friday.

The announcement came shortly after police said they were looking for a blue 2005 Mazda Tribute with grey bumpers.

Footage from news helicopters shows officers arresting a man from his vehicle. The car has significant damage to its front end. Police haven’t confirmed if he’s the suspect.

One of the victims is in a critical condition at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, reports The Oregonian, while a second victim is in serious condition.

Portland State University student Kat Caputo was talking to a friend by the light-rail station when she heard a commotion and turned around. She says she saw two women lying on the sidewalk and another leaning against a brick wall.

Others were shouting that a car had jumped the kerb, struck the women and sped away.

Caputo says one of the women had a huge bruise on her back and screamed when the paramedics touched it.

Caputo says she was shaken because she was running late and might have been hit herself otherwise.

According to another witness, the driver “gunned” the motor after hitting the women.

Christopher Bond told The Oregonian he was standing on the footpath when he saw the SUV hit at least two women. He said it was going about 70km/h.

Mr Bond said when he went to help the women, the driver “gunned it”, nearly hitting him.

However, police officer Chris Bruley said they did not know if the incident was intentional.

More than an hour after the incident, a green jumper, a pair of sneakers, a pink slipper and one black bike glove lay scattered on the sidewalk near a small splash of blood.