Deadly I-5 Seattle hit-and-run: driver sought

A 53-year-old Seattle man was killed early Sunday after he was struck by two vehicles while trying to cross southbound Interstate 5 near Mercer Street, and Washington State Patrol investigators are searching for the second driver, who left the scene. Troopers said the collision happened at about 12:55 a.m. on May 31. The first driver, a 64-year-old Stanwood man in a 2014 Honda Civic, stopped and was not injured, according to investigators. The second vehicle, described by troopers as silver, continued southbound, and WSP said felony hit-and-run is a potential charge. ### Where on I-5 did the crash happen, and what do troopers say led up to it? Southbound I-5 near the Mercer Street exit was the scene of the fatal collision, according to the Washington State Patrol. Investigators said the man was in the roadway and was attempting to cross the freeway when he was hit. KING 5 reported, citing WSP, that he was moving from the right shoulder toward the left shoulder at about 12:55 a.m. KIRO 7, also citing WSP, reported that he was trying to cross all southbound lanes near the Mercer Street exit. (king5.com) The pedestrian died at the scene, troopers said. WSP said his identity was being withheld pending notification of family. Investigators listed the cause in the preliminary report as a pedestrian in the roadway, and said the investigation remains ongoing. ### What do investigators know about the two drivers? (king5.com) The 64-year-old Stanwood driver who was operating a 2014 Honda Civic stopped after the collision and remained at the scene, according to troopers. WSP said that driver was not injured. A second vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane also struck the man, the state patrol said, and that driver did not stop. (king5.com) KIRO 7 reported that troopers do not yet know the make or model, but said the vehicle is believed to be silver and was last seen continuing southbound on the freeway. Troopers said the driver, if identified, would likely face a felony hit-and-run charge. ### How long did the freeway stay closed? Four lanes of southbound I-5 were closed for nearly three hours after the crash, according to WSP and the Washington State Department of Transportation information cited by local outlets. The right lane and the Mercer Street exit remained open during part of the response, KIRO 7 reported. (king5.com) Traffic backed up for about three miles, stretching to state Route 520, according to KING 5’s report citing WSDOT. The closure was lifted later Sunday morning. ### What are troopers asking the public to do now? Washington State Patrol investigators said they are looking for witnesses, dashcam video and information about the silver vehicle that left the scene. (kiro7.com) KIRO 7 reported that troopers asked anyone who may know the driver, know the vehicle or have video from the area around the time of the crash to contact the agency. (king5.com) WSP’s public collision-records system says reports can take two to four weeks to become available for request, though that is separate from the criminal investigation now underway. The state patrol has not publicly identified the fleeing driver as of June 1. ### What comes next in the case? As of June 1, the Washington State Patrol had not announced an arrest or publicly released a fuller description of the suspect vehicle beyond its silver color. (kiro7.com) Troopers have said the investigation is ongoing and that witness accounts and video could help identify the driver who continued southbound after the collision. (wsp.wa.gov) In the coming days, investigators are expected to continue reviewing evidence and tips tied to the crash near Mercer Street. Anyone seeking the official collision report later can use the WSP collision-records system once the report is processed, while troopers continue asking witnesses to come forward now. (wsp.wa.gov) (kiro7.com)