Driver of work van arrested for vehicular homicide
A Vancouver man was killed Thursday when his motorcycle collided with a work van driven by an alleged impaired driver.
At 5:20 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 20), Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies and EMS personnel were dispatched to the scene of the collision, the intersection of NE 47th Avenue and NE Minnehaha Street.
Upon arrival, it was immediately apparent to first responders that the motorcyclist had been killed. The deceased man was identified as 59-year-old Mark Holm, of Vancouver.
The driver of the work van, 26-year-old Carlos Hoyos-Gonzalez, remained at the scene. The CCSO Traffic Unit was dispatched to the scene and conducted the investigation with the help of patrol deputies.
Information obtained from witnesses and evidence gathered at the scene revealed that Hoyos-Gonzalez was driving a Ford Econoline work van westbound on NE Minnehaha. Witnesses reported that it appeared he had been racing a purple Lexus sedan. The work van was in the left lane and the Lexus was in the right lane.
At the intersection of NE 47th Avenue, the Lexus reportedly made a right turn to the north. Hoyos-Gonzalez drove his van into the intersection, and made a sweeping counterclockwise 270-degree turn in the intersection. In the process of doing so, the van was struck by a motorcycle, driven by Holm, who had been traveling westbound on Minnehaha behind the vehicles.
A CCSO report indicated that Hoyos-Gonzalez exhibited obvious signs of impairment. His vehicle had also been reported in at least two prior hit and run collisions, not long before the collision with Holm. Hoyos-Gonzalez was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail for Vehicular Homicide.
NE Minnehaha Street is a multi-lane east/west main roadway that runs from Hazel Dell to Orchards. The posted speed limit is 40 mph.
An active investigation is underway. Detectives would like to interview the driver of the alleged involved Lexus sedan.
Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
