Bicyclist killed in I-5 crash identified as transient

Officials identified the man killed while bicycling on Interstate 5 earlier this week as Johnathon Bertrand, a 21-year-old transient.

Bertrand died of blunt head and neck trauma, and his death was ruled an accident, according to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.

He was riding a bicycle south on the freeway in the left lane at about 2:30 a.m. Monday when he was struck by a southbound 1996 Saturn Ion, according to the Washington State Patrol. He died at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle, 20-year-old Luke Gill of Vancouver, didn’t have a working cellphone and left the scene to get help, State Patrol spokesman Will Finn said.

Gill took the 179th Street exit and drove to a gas station, but it was closed, Finn said. However, a Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted the damaged vehicle and notified State Patrol.

Detectives have verified Gill’s story and say that he’s been cooperative with investigators, but they have not made a decision about whether he will face charges, Finn said.