A late-night walk on the freeway turned deadly Wednesday when a man traveling on foot in traffic on northbound Interstate 5 near Balboa Park was struck by two vehicles and fatally injured, authorities said. The crash was reported around 9:25 PM, and the pedestrian died from his injuries before he could be taken to a hospital. One driver stopped and stayed with investigators while another allegedly took off, and the California Highway Patrol says it is still sorting out the chain of events.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, CHP officials said the man was first hit by a northbound Chrysler Voyager near the Sixth Avenue off-ramp on I-5. The Voyager’s driver remained at the scene and spoke with officers. The newspaper reports the pedestrian was then hit by a Jeep whose driver allegedly fled, and that toxicology testing is pending. The CHP has asked anyone with information about the crash to call its San Diego-area office at 858-293-6000.
Potential criminal exposure for a fleeing driver
Under California law, leaving the scene of a collision that causes injury or death can be more than just illegal; it can be a felony. Vehicle Code section 20001 requires drivers involved in crashes that injure or kill someone to stop, share identifying information and provide aid. As explained by Shouse Law Group, penalties increase when a death is involved, and prosecutors can seek prison time in fatal hit-and-run cases.
Investigators seeking witnesses
Investigators told reporters they plan to lean on witness statements, traffic-camera footage and forensic analysis to piece together what unfolded in the northbound lanes. Anyone who saw the Jeep, the impact or the moments leading up to the crash is being urged to contact the CHP’s San Diego-area office at 858-293-6000, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Toxicology results will be released once they are available.
Context near Balboa Park
The complex interchange around Balboa Park and Park Boulevard has already been under the microscope for traffic and safety upgrades aimed at improving pedestrian connections and calming vehicle speeds, city documents show. The City of San Diego has previously detailed plans for paving, restriping and pedestrian-focused improvements on Park Boulevard and nearby ramps to better link the park to surrounding neighborhoods, according to the City of San Diego.
