In a tragic event that has left a community searching for answers and a highway patrol agency combing through the details, the Washington State Patrol has identified the man killed on Interstate 90 near Moses Lake as 56-year-old Randy H. Raap. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 8, 2025, and has since prompted a comprehensive investigation into how and why a pedestrian ended up on a high-speed roadway not intended for foot traffic.

According to initial findings released by authorities, Randy H. Raap—whose residence was in Moses Lake—was observed earlier that day on the Broadway Avenue overpass, which crosses directly above I-90. It remains unclear how much time elapsed between that sighting and the moment he was struck by a vehicle. Nevertheless, at some point thereafter, Raap made his way onto the eastbound lanes of I-90, a section of highway known for its heavy, uninterrupted traffic flow. The next recorded moment of this fatal sequence came at approximately 11:54 a.m., when a 2020 Subaru Forester traveling eastbound collided with Raap.

The Subaru was being driven by a 30-year-old man from Everett, Washington, accompanied by a 31-year-old female passenger, also from Everett. Both individuals were uninjured, though reportedly shaken by the event. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene; however, Raap was pronounced dead upon their arrival. Given the nature of the impact and the speed typically associated with interstate travel, responders noted that the collision was likely fatal on impact.

Authorities from the Washington State Patrol quickly ruled out any signs of impairment or reckless behavior on the part of the driver. From their early analysis, the tragic collision appears to have been unavoidable. With the sudden emergence of a pedestrian on a highway moving at speeds of 65 miles per hour or more, drivers have very little time to react, even in the best of conditions. This principle is reinforced in safety protocols and driver training across the country: interstates are designed for the sole use of motor vehicles and are not constructed to accommodate pedestrians under any circumstances.

Still, many questions remain. The State Patrol has not released any definitive statements regarding what caused Raap to appear on the highway in the first place. No reports have confirmed whether he had access to a vehicle nearby, whether he had been attempting to cross the highway intentionally, or whether this may have been a case of disorientation, crisis, or another factor entirely. Investigators are continuing to examine all possible scenarios, ranging from accidental misjudgment to potential mental distress, and are working to piece together the moments leading up to the incident.

Eyewitnesses have proven scarce, and the primary report linking Raap to the Broadway Avenue overpass remains the only confirmed sighting of him prior to his death. This observation has become a central element of the investigation. Authorities are working to determine how Raap descended from the overpass onto the interstate—an action that would require either deliberate effort or a lapse in physical control, depending on the environmental circumstances and the individual’s condition at the time.

The lack of clarity has prompted investigators to await further insight from autopsy results and toxicology reports. These findings may illuminate any underlying medical or psychological issues that could have contributed to Raap’s presence on the highway. Such reports are often pivotal in helping officials draw a more comprehensive picture of what may have transpired and can assist in closing investigatory gaps that otherwise remain speculative.

Meanwhile, the community of Moses Lake, a tight-knit population in central Washington, is grappling with the loss. Although details about Raap’s personal background have not been made public, the identification of the victim has cast a human face on what initially appeared to be just another highway fatality. Residents familiar with Raap, as well as those simply moved by the gravity of the event, are left mourning and reflecting on the fragility of life in a world filled with rapid movement and unpredictable outcomes.

The psychological aftermath has not been limited to Raap’s acquaintances alone. The driver and passenger involved in the collision, although physically unharmed, are reportedly traumatized. Such encounters, even when legally and morally devoid of culpability, often leave a lasting emotional impact on those involved. Law enforcement personnel and trauma specialists alike have emphasized the need for these individuals to receive appropriate counseling and support, underscoring the ripple effects of roadside tragedies.

Statistically, pedestrian deaths on highways—while relatively rare compared to urban incidents—are particularly deadly. According to the Federal Highway Administration, pedestrian deaths on interstates and freeways represent a smaller portion of total pedestrian fatalities, but they are nearly always fatal when they do occur. Most such incidents involve individuals experiencing vehicular breakdowns, walking to get help, or suffering from behavioral health crises. It is yet unclear which, if any, of these scenarios applied to Raap.

Moreover, the broader safety concern raised by this incident is the recurring risk posed when pedestrians access areas of the transportation network that are simply not designed for them. While urban crosswalks, pedestrian bridges, and designated walking paths are meant to offer safe passage, interstates like I-90 serve the singular purpose of accommodating high-speed vehicular traffic. There are no legal provisions for pedestrians on these roadways, and crossing or walking along them is generally prohibited by law.

Despite this, similar incidents happen across the United States with concerning regularity. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has noted that nearly 7,500 pedestrians were killed nationwide in 2023 alone, a trend that has shown no signs of slowing in recent years. Although most of these deaths occur in lower-speed zones, highway fatalities involving pedestrians remain a particularly devastating subset of these statistics. Each case tends to leave behind a trail of sorrow, confusion, and unanswered questions, not unlike the case of Randy H. Raap.

As the Washington State Patrol continues its investigation, officials are calling for public assistance. Anyone with information regarding Raap’s movements on the morning of June 8 is encouraged to contact authorities. Even small details—such as seeing him near the overpass, noting unusual behavior, or observing any interaction he may have had—could prove instrumental in understanding the full context of the incident.

The call for information has also become a quiet invitation for public reflection. What more could be done to prevent such deaths? Could additional signage or fencing on overpasses deter individuals from descending onto the highway? Should mental health outreach be more present in public spaces, including transportation infrastructure? These questions, though not yet answered by this particular case, continue to gain relevance with each passing tragedy.

For now, the facts remain limited, and the process of closure—for both the family of Randy Raap and those affected by the collision—is still far from complete. The hope among investigators is that ongoing forensic analysis, coupled with public cooperation, will soon yield greater clarity.

In the end, what is known is this: on a clear Sunday morning, a life ended abruptly on a stretch of asphalt built for speed, not footsteps. And in the wake of that moment, a community mourns, a family grieves, and two innocent travelers continue to grapple with the trauma of a tragedy they never could have foreseen.