Pedestrian hit by trooper in Mill Creek dies

Herald staff

MILL CREEK — A pedestrian crossing Highway 527 died Tuesday night after being struck by a Washington State Patrol trooper on his way home from work.

Brock D. Loshbaugh, 22, of Redmond died about 11:40 p.m. at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. An autopsy was under way at the King County Medical Examiner’s Office this morning.

Trooper Jason M. Crandall was northbound on Highway 527 just north of 164th Street about 10:25 p.m. at normal speed and was not responding to any emergency, patrol Sgt. Steve Burns said Wednesday.

Crandall, who is in his early 20s and has been with the patrol for two years, was very shaken but unhurt, Burns said. He patrols the King County area and is assigned to the patrol’s Bellevue district office.

Loshbaugh, who was wearing dark clothing, attempted to cross the highway and stepped in front of the patrol car, Burns said. Loshbaugh crossed in the middle of the block and was not in a crosswalk or at an intersection, Burns said.

Crandall was not placed on administrative leave and can return to work when he wants to, Burns said.

"He’s pretty shaken up. We want him to be healthy when he returns to work," he said.

Burns did not know if the trooper planned to work today.

The patrol is investigating the accident.