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Suspect in Clark County I-5 chase hit and killed trying to cross freeway

I-5 was closed in both directions near La Center late Friday night after a police chase involving an assault and attempted murder suspect.

LA CENTER, Wash. — Both directions of I-5 were closed near La Center in Clark County on Friday night following a police pursuit that ended when a suspect was struck and killed on the freeway, according to Washington State Patrol (WSP) officials.

The dead man was identified Saturday evening as Robert J. Flubacher, 55, of Longview.

Trooper Will Finn said that troopers had been pursuing Flubacher in an attempted murder and multiple assault case, crossing from Cowlitz County into Clark County to pursue him. 

Officers spiked Flubacher's tires and used a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver to stop his vehicle near the La Center Road overpass.

Credit: KGW

After Flubacher's vehicle came to a stop, Finn said that he took off across the freeway on foot. He was hit and killed by a driver heading northbound.

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The police chase and the fatal crash that followed are being investigated as two distinct cases.

WSDOT said that the remaining closures were lifted just after 1 a.m. In all, the response lasted about four hours.

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