VANCOUVER, WA (KPTV) -
An elderly man in a motorized wheelchair was hit and killed crossing the street near Esther Short Park in Vancouver Thursday night.
Firefighters said it happened at about 7:06 p.m.
The man was crossing Eighth Street when he was hit by a pickup. Witnesses told FOX 12 that the force of the impact threw the man off the wheelchair. He landed a few feet away on the pavement.
Police identified him as Liren Fue, 86, of Vancouver.
"He was just crossing in the middle of the street and then all of a sudden we just heard the car hit him," said Erika Malagon, who was walking right behind the man when he was hit.
The driver is Wayne Vaudrey, 22, of Vancouver.
Police said he remained at the scene and was cooperating with officers.
Witnesses said the driver, who was passing through the area, didn't see the wheelchair in the street because the sun was in his eyes.
According to witnesses, Vaudrey attempted to give the victim CPR after the crash.
Emergency crews arrived about four minutes after receiving the 911 call and found victim was already dead.
The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival was going on at the park at the time of the crash.
Police are still investigating.
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