PORTLAND, Multnomah County, Ore., Oct. 7, 2026 — A woman died and a man suffered critical injuries on Monday night, October 5, after a two-vehicle crash sent a Jeep rolling into a crosswalk at an intersection in Vancouver, Washington.
Vancouver police said officers were called to NE Andresen Road and NE Van Mall Drive around 9:45 p.m. A 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. A 43-year-old man was taken to a hospital with critical injuries.
Investigators said a Toyota RAV4 was headed westbound on NE Van Mall Drive when a Jeep traveling southbound ran a red light. The impact flipped the Jeep, which then struck the two pedestrians as they crossed in the south crosswalk with the signal.
The Jeep's driver, identified by police as 26-year-old Noah Merchant, was arrested on charges that include DUI, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless driving. The case remains under investigation.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Why Red-Light Pedestrian Crashes Keep Happening at Busy Intersections
Crashes like this one usually come down to a gap between what a driver expects and what is actually happening in the intersection. A driver running a red light is usually not looking for pedestrians at all; attention narrows to clearing the intersection or beating other traffic, and a crosswalk full of people with the signal becomes invisible until it's too late to stop.
Pedestrians face the mirror problem. Someone crossing with a walk signal has every reason to assume approaching vehicles will stop, so a phone glance or a side conversation removes the one chance either party had to notice trouble coming from the side. When distraction sits on both ends at once, there is no one left watching the intersection.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths accounted for 18 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023. Signalized intersections, where crossers trust the light and drivers are usually moving fastest to clear the signal, are a recurring setting for these crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians crossing with the signal or within a marked or unmarked crosswalk generally have the right of way. Drivers turning or crossing that path are required to yield, regardless of their own signal.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections, checking crosswalks before turning, and treating a yellow or changing light as a cue to stop rather than accelerate all cut down on these collisions.
What injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles usually suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, and internal injuries, since there is little protecting them from direct impact.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Driver distraction, speeding, failure to yield, and red-light or stop-sign violations are frequent factors, usually combined with low visibility or a pedestrian who is also distracted.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Vancouver, WA
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so injuries can be assessed on scene, even if they seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from fractures or head trauma, so a medical evaluation afterward is worth getting regardless of how someone feels in the moment.
It helps to get the names and contact information of any witnesses before they leave, since memories fade and people disperse quickly after a crash. If you're able, note the time, location, and any details about the signal or traffic movements you observed. Filing a police report and following up with your own doctor in the days after gives you a clearer record of what happened and how it affected you.
