Man walking to Lynnwood business hit, killed by forklift

LYNNWOOD -- Police are investigating how exactly a 69-year-old Bothell man was hit and killed by a forklift while walking through a parking lot.

At 10:30 a.m. Monday, the man was walking through a parking lot in the 4000 block of 198th Street SW in Lynnwood when he was hit by a forklift, Lynnwood police said. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries where he died early Tuesday morning.

Police and fire investigators were called to the scene and spoke to the 46-year-old driver of the forklift. The driver, who worked for a business on the block, told police he was carrying boxes of merchandise when he saw a flash of "blue" go in front of the forklift and he slammed on the brakes.

The box fell off the forklift and landed on the customer, police said, potentially adding to his substantial injuries.

The victim was reportedly on his way to a nearby store.

Officers continue to investigate the crash.

The block includes the Playdate Cafe, The Rock Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits, a Sprint store and other restaurants.