An 83-year-old man is clinging to life after police say he was struck by a vehicle last Saturday in San Ysidro, suffering a pelvic fracture and a brain bleed. The collision happened around 6:30 PM in the 200 block of East San Ysidro Boulevard, shortly after the vehicle exited the freeway. Emergency crews rushed the victim to a nearby hospital.
What the police say
According to the San Diego Police Department, the vehicle involved was a 2011 Jeep Liberty driven by a 71-year-old man who was headed westbound on East San Ysidro Boulevard after leaving the freeway, 10News reported. Investigators say the pedestrian walked into the roadway mid-block and into the path of the Jeep, where he was struck. Police have not announced any criminal charges tied to the crash.
Injuries and response
Officers told Times of San Diego the man suffered a pelvic fracture and a brain bleed and was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. Authorities said alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the collision. The San Diego Police Department’s Traffic Division has taken over the investigation.
Older pedestrians are at greater risk
The crash highlights a familiar and troubling pattern. Older walkers are disproportionately hurt and killed in traffic collisions. People 65 and older made up about 19% of U.S. pedestrian fatalities in 2022, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. Locally, advocacy group Circulate San Diego has pointed out that older adults account for a disproportionate share of pedestrian deaths in the city, a reality Vision Zero supporters argue should shape how streets are designed and enforced.
How to help investigators
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or captured video footage to come forward. Tips can be directed to the SDPD Traffic Division or to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477, as reported by 10News. Investigators say they will release additional details as they become available.
We will continue to follow the case and update this story when officials provide new information.
