After a four-car crash in east Vancouver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, a tow truck driver who reportedly ran a red light at Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard and Southeast 160th Avenue fled on foot to his apartment and was later found deceased by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
At around 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 6, Vancouver Police, Vancouver Fire and other responding agencies arrived at the multi-vehicle collision. Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard in the area remained closed for several hours during peak travel times due to the scope of the collision which required an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department Traffic Unit.
“Callers reported a male driving a tow truck ran through a red light, striking multiple vehicles,” a news release by VPD stated. “Approximately 10 people were injured, at least two with serious injuries, including one person who was ejected from the vehicle they were riding in.”
The driver of the tow truck fled on foot and was seen by witnesses going toward an apartment complex in the 17700 block of Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, where police learned the suspect lived, the VPD release stated.
SWAT assisted with contacting him, due to information that he possibly had access to a firearm. Multiple announcements were made outside the suspect’s door, with no response. Officers utilized a UAS (uncrewed aircraft system) to look inside the apartment unit. The suspect was seen lying on the floor, not moving. SWAT medics entered and found the suspect deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, VPD stated. The Clark County Medical Examiner was working to confirm the suspect’s identity and cause of death as of press time.
According to the dispatch notes stated in a Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) news release about the incident, the response was upgraded as additional resources were required. Vancouver Fire responded with two engines, two trucks and one battalion chief while an engine and ambulance from the Camas/Washougal Fire Department assisted. Several American Medical Response (AMR) ambulances responded to the scene along with two AMR supervisors in order to transport the double-digit patient load.
While one person was ejected from their vehicle during the collision, two other drivers of different vehicles needed to be extricated by electric extrication tools, VFD stated. Other patients were able to get out of their vehicle on their own or with minimal assistance and equipment, VFD added.
