BELLINGHAM -
Washington state troopers would like to talk to an unknown driver of a semi-truck who may have been involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident this morning on Interstate 5 in Bellingham.
Trooper Keith Leary said a pedestrian was struck and killed in the northbound lanes of I-5 north of the Iowa Street exit at about 4:45 a.m.
He was apparently struck by the semi and by another car.
The state patrol identified the pedestrian who was killed as Michael S. Whitworth, 22, of Dillon, Montana. But police say the victim has been in the Bellingham area for a while and was known to Bellingham police officers. Whitworth may have been in the roadway when he was struck, according to the state patrol.
A person who was in the area in the at the time of the accident told troopers about hearing a semi-truck using its emergency brakes to stop quickly, Leary said.
"Someone who was not on the freeway, but at a business like a convenience store nearby reported hearing tires squeal and the truck's Jake brakes slowing it down rapidly," said Leary.
The victim's injuries are consistent with being struck by a semi, Leary said. The semi-truck's driver left the scene -- and according to police - may not have even known he hit the pedestrian. .
A 1999 Mercedes Benz struck Whitworth a second time, and its driver is identified as Trevor W. Owen, 24, of Bellingham. Troopers say Owen first thought he had hit an animal on the roadway.
Owen left the scene at first but returned later to talk to investigators, Leary said. He was driving in the righthand lane when he hit Whitworth, according to the State Patrol.
Investigators are looking for a semi-truck that has damage to the right front of the truck, Leary said. They are still determining if charges should be filed, Leary said.
"The truck would likely have damage on the front-right quarter panel," Leary said.
Traffic was detoured around the accident site to allow the State Patrol to investigate. The northbound freeway lanes were reopened later in the morning. Fire and ambulance crews also responded.
Trooper Keith Leary said a pedestrian was struck and killed in the northbound lanes of I-5 north of the Iowa Street exit at about 4:45 a.m.
He was apparently struck by the semi and by another car.
The state patrol identified the pedestrian who was killed as Michael S. Whitworth, 22, of Dillon, Montana. But police say the victim has been in the Bellingham area for a while and was known to Bellingham police officers. Whitworth may have been in the roadway when he was struck, according to the state patrol.
A person who was in the area in the at the time of the accident told troopers about hearing a semi-truck using its emergency brakes to stop quickly, Leary said.
"Someone who was not on the freeway, but at a business like a convenience store nearby reported hearing tires squeal and the truck's Jake brakes slowing it down rapidly," said Leary.
The victim's injuries are consistent with being struck by a semi, Leary said. The semi-truck's driver left the scene -- and according to police - may not have even known he hit the pedestrian. .
A 1999 Mercedes Benz struck Whitworth a second time, and its driver is identified as Trevor W. Owen, 24, of Bellingham. Troopers say Owen first thought he had hit an animal on the roadway.
Owen left the scene at first but returned later to talk to investigators, Leary said. He was driving in the righthand lane when he hit Whitworth, according to the State Patrol.
Investigators are looking for a semi-truck that has damage to the right front of the truck, Leary said. They are still determining if charges should be filed, Leary said.
"The truck would likely have damage on the front-right quarter panel," Leary said.
Traffic was detoured around the accident site to allow the State Patrol to investigate. The northbound freeway lanes were reopened later in the morning. Fire and ambulance crews also responded.
