Troopers Search for Deadly I-5 Hit-and-Run Driver

Washington State Patrol is searching for the driver of a silver vehicle that fled after a fatal collision on southbound Interstate 5 near the Mercer Street exit in Seattle early Sunday, according to troopers. The crash happened at about 1 a.m. on May 31, and the victim, a 53-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said. Investigators said the man was on foot in the freeway lanes when he was hit by two vehicles. One driver stopped, but the second continued southbound, the patrol said. ### Where did the collision happen, and what do troopers say unfolded? Southbound I-5 near the Mercer Street exit is where the man was struck while trying to cross the freeway on foot, according to Washington State Patrol. Troopers said he was moving from the left shoulder toward the right side of the roadway when the collision happened. (kiro7.com) At about 1 a.m. Sunday, a 64-year-old Stanwood man driving a 2014 Honda Civic hit the pedestrian and stopped, the patrol said. Troopers said a second vehicle also struck the man and then left the scene, continuing southbound on I-5. ### What do investigators know about the vehicle that left? A silver vehicle is the only description investigators have released for the second driver’s car. (kiro7.com) Troopers said they do not yet know the make or model. Washington State Patrol said the driver, if identified, would likely face a felony hit-and-run charge. (kiro7.com) Troopers asked for help from anyone who may have seen the vehicle, knows the driver, or has information about the crash. ### How long did the crash investigation disrupt traffic? Four lanes of southbound I-5 were closed for nearly three hours after the collision, according to Washington State Patrol. (kiro7.com) The right lane and the Mercer Street exit remained open during the investigation. The Washington State Department of Transportation said the lane closures produced a backup of about three miles. (kiro7.com) The crash scene was photographed by WSDOT traffic cameras, and KIRO 7 published an image showing the freeway closure. ### What has Washington State Patrol asked the public to do? Washington State Patrol said witnesses, people with dash-camera video and anyone with knowledge of what happened should contact investigators. (kiro7.com) Troopers said even limited video from vehicles traveling through the area around the time of the crash could help identify the silver vehicle. The patrol has not publicly released the dead man’s name. The Seattle Times reported Monday that troopers were seeking the driver of a silver vehicle in the fatal hit-and-run. ### Where can this investigation be tracked next? Washington State Patrol posts collision-related witness appeals and updates on its public website, including its media releases and broader incident postings. (kiro7.com) The agency also maintains an online collision-records system for completed reports, though WSDOT says current-year crash data can take about 30 days to appear in its public portal. (seattletimes.com) As of Tuesday, June 2, troopers were still asking for information about the driver who left the scene on southbound I-5 near Mercer Street. (kiro7.com) (wsp.wa.gov)