Mill Plain Boulevard in Vancouver became the center of a tragic series of events last night after a driver ran through a red light, causing a multi-vehicle crash that injured 10 people. The driver of the truck, who was involved in the collision, subsequently fled the scene and was later found dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his own apartment. The incident snarled traffic, leading to the closure of Mill Plain Boulevard in both directions between 160th Avenue and 164th Avenue, as reported by KATU.
According to OregonLive, the Vancouver Police Department received calls around 5:15 p.m. about the crash at Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard and 160th Avenue. The collision, involving at least four cars, resulted in one individual being ejected from their car, with two people sustaining serious injuries. Following the accident, alternate routes were recommended, as the thoroughfare was expected to be closed for significant hours due to the ongoing investigation.
This event was the second crash in Vancouver in as many days, with the previous one occurring on Tuesday when a van collided with a bicyclist who later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Vancouver Police Department is investigating both events, emphasizing the fraught nature of traffic incidents that have recently befallen the city.
The suspect, who was driving a tow truck, caused alarm among drivers and sparked a police search that ended in a tragic discovery. Nearby residents saw heavy police activity, including a drone and a SWAT team. The operation focused on an apartment complex in the 17700 block of Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, where the suspect was believed to be hiding and possibly armed. As per a report by KOIN, officers used a drone to look inside the apartment, and medics later confirmed the suspect was dead after police entered.
