10/06/2026
Update 10/7: Vancouver Police were notified that the pedestrian who was critically injured has died.
The charge of Vehicular Assault will be updated to Vehicular Homicide.
The Traffic Unit investigation is continuing and there are no further updates at this time.
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On October 5, 2026, at around 9:45 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to NE Andresen Rd. and NE Van Mall Dr. for the report of a collision involving two vehicles and two pedestrians.
The driver of a Toyota RAV4 was traveling westbound on NE Van Mall Dr. with a green light when the vehicle was hit by the driver of a Jeep traveling southbound on NE Andresen Rd. after running a red light at the intersection. The collision caused the Jeep to flip and strike two pedestrians who were in the south crosswalk on NE Van Mall Dr., crossing with the signal. One of the pedestrians, a 34-year-old female, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male pedestrian, 43 years old, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The driver of the Jeep, Noah Merchant, 26 years old, was arrested for DUI, Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault, and Reckless Driving and was booked into the Clark County Jail. His passenger, a 20-year-old female, was arrested for Minor in Possession.
The Vancouver Police Department Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation.
