TACOMA, Wash. - A man fleeing from police was struck and killed on Interstate 5 near Tacoma early Thursday morning..
The Washington State Patrol says that about 1 a.m. a Fife Police officer pulled over a driver suspected of drunken driving.
A check showed that a passenger in the car, 45-year-old Michael R. Hallberg of Tacoma, was wanted on arrest warrants for assault and eluding police.
The Patrol says Hallberg jumped out of the car and tried to run across the freeway near the Tacoma Dome. He was struck by two vehicles and killed.
"As they (officers) were opening the door to get the passenger out, he jumped out and ran across the freeway, all lanes of traffic southbound" said Trooper Brandy Kessler. "He walked up the median a short ways and then attempted to pass the northbound lanes and was struck by a vehicle."
Detectives say the first vehicle to hit Hallberg left the scene. They're now searching for the car described as a dark green sedan with possible front end damage. The driver of the second vehicle remained on the scene as a witness.
"Right now the State Patrol is doing the investigation," said Kessler. "We're asking any witnesses out there to please call the State Patrol."
Kessler said the driver of the vehicle stopped by the Fife police was taken into custody "for DUI."
