WSP seeks vehicle that struck pedestrian on I-205 in Vancouver

A 26-year-old man walking south on the northbound lanes of Interstate 205 on Tuesday night was struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene.

The man was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center with a fractured leg and other injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, Washington State Patrol spokesman Will Finn said in an email.

The crash happened about 10:26 p.m. The pedestrian was in the right lane when the suspect’s northbound vehicle struck him near the offramp for Northeast 134th Street. The vehicle “continued from the scene, and is outstanding,” according to a trooper crash report.

Alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor. Finn said in an email that the incident appears to have been a suicide attempt by the pedestrian.

“With that said, we still have a vehicle involved that left the scene, which makes it a crime,” Finn said.

An initial investigation found troopers were advised of a possible jumper on the 134th Street overpass. Troopers did not spot anyone trying to leap from the street, but a man was located on the freeway a short time later, Finn said.

Witnesses told troopers the man was walking on the freeway toward oncoming traffic with his arms raised.

Detectives gathered evidence at the scene suggesting a dark purple SUV or small pickup truck hit the man, Finn said. The vehicle likely has damage on its passenger side, he said.

The injured man was reportedly combative with medics who tried to treat him.

Detectives are continuing to investigate, Finn said.