Fleeing suspect crashes car at busy intersection

Two people, including a fleeing motorist, were injured in a crash north of Orchards on Thursday morning that drew several police officers.

Authorities said the driver was intoxicated and wanted on a warrant when he fled from police and crashed into another car, injuring a Vancouver woman.

The incident began at 10:27 a.m., when a Battle Ground officer attempted to stop an Audi on state Highway 503 for a traffic infraction after he noticed the registered owner had an outstanding warrant, said Battle Ground Police Department Sgt. Jason Perdue. The Audi driver didn’t pull over and eventually accelerated.

The officer turned off his lights and didn’t pursue, Perdue said.

The driver continued to travel south on Highway 503, ran a red light at Padden Parkway and three minutes later struck a Ford Focus driven by Katie Kanooth, 33, of Vancouver.

“At that point, police weren’t behind him,” Perdue said.

One witness told The Columbian that at least five police officers approached one of the cars with guns drawn.

Two people, including the suspect, were sent to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center with injuries. The suspect, identified as Husam M. Hamadeh, 33, of Vancouver, suffered a hand injury; he was treated and released from the hospital. Kanooth sustained a bruised chest and hip, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Kanooth was treated at the hospital and released, a hospital spokesman said.

Hamadeh was arrested on suspicion of DUI, said Trooper Ryan Tanner, a Washington State Patrol spokesman.

Hamadeh was in custody Thursday night at the Clark County Jail.