Pedestrian found dead on U.S. 395

LIND – Southbound U.S. Highway 395 reopened Monday afternoon, Oct. 30, after a body was discovered near Milepost 81.

Authorities have identified the body as that of Nicholas A. Cooper, 31, of Lakewood.

Cooper was pronounced deceased at the scene two miles east of the city at about 3:41 a.m., the Washington State Patrol reported. An Adams County deputy notified the next of kin.

The patrol said Cooper was killed in a hit-and-run incident.

According to the patrol, an unknown vehicle was southbound and struck Cooper in the passing lane of the highway.

The driver then fled the scene, the patrol reported.

“Tragically the pedestrian was killed as a result of the collision,” the patrol reported. “The pedestrians’ body was discovered in the roadway by law enforcement driving in the area (next of kin has been notified).”

Southbound lanes of the highway were closed while troopers investigated the scene, the patrol said, noting traffic was detoured off the highway and into Lind.

The highway reopened at about 10:52 a.m., the state Department of Transportation reported.

The state patrol is seeking witnesses to the fatal crash. Detectives are also seeking any information or observations related to a pedestrian walking along the highway prior to the fatal crash.

Anyone with information is asked to call detective Lewis Stevens at 509-904-5102 or email him at [email protected].

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Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is co-owner and publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

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