Suspected DUI driver hits father and son in Vancouver; Father dead, son critical

A Vancouver father has died, and his 6-year-old son remains in critical condition after a driver under suspicion of DUI struck them in a crosswalk Wednesday, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) announced.

At approximately 1:20 p.m., VPD arrived at the 6400 block of N.E. 137th Ave. in Vancouver after hearing reports that a driver had hit a man and his six-year-old son.

First responders found the man lying dead in the roadway, and his son, 10 feet away in a nearby ditch. The child was taken to Randall Children’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition as of this reporting.

Alleged DUI suspect kills one, critically injures child

The driver, a 73-year-old male, remained at the scene and was taken into custody. The suspect was arrested on at least one count of vehicular homicide and one count of DUI. Officers concurred that speed, reckless driving, and possible impairment may have caused the crash.

The VPD Traffic Unit is currently leading the investigation. Authorities have not released the identities of the driver or the victims. 

UPDATE: The Vancouver Police Department is saddened to report the child who was critically injured has died.

The suspect, James H. Paulson, has been booked into the Clark County Jail for two counts of Vehicular Homicide and one count of DUI. https://t.co/PCnajYe1Kr

On September 17, 2025, at around 1:20 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to the 6400 block of NE 137th Avenue for the report that a man and a child (father and son) who were walking, were hit by a vehicle. The man was found lying in the roadway when emergency responders arrived; he… pic.twitter.com/ktdVgcn4xf

— Vancouver Police USA (@VancouverPDUSA) September 18, 2025

VPD noted there is no additional information available at this time.

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