CHP is investigating the death of a man who was found on the shoulder of northbound State Route 243 near Smith Creek Bridge, close to Beaumont, Saturday morning, and later died at Desert Regional Medical Center despite lifesaving efforts. Medical personnel reported injuries that did not appear consistent with a vehicle strike and instead appeared to have been caused by a sharp-edged weapon.
Discovery Along a Quiet Mountain Highway
According to MyNewsLA.com, the man was found lying on the shoulder of SR-243 north of Smith Creek Bridge at 11:40 a.m. Saturday. He was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he died despite lifesaving efforts, per CHP.
SR 243 in Riverside County
The reported location is north of Smith Creek Bridge near Beaumont, along SR 243. The County of Riverside says Caltrans maintains and operates several state routes in the county, including SR 243.
Authorities initially considered whether the death involved a traffic collision. But the injuries assessed by medical personnel did not appear consistent with a vehicle strike, according to the report.
Injuries Point Away From a Crash
The report says the medical findings suggested wounds caused by a sharp-edged weapon. Investigators also found no evidence indicating that a vehicle was involved; that finding does not establish how the man was injured.
The circumstances of the man's death remain under investigation. Authorities have not released further details about how he came to be on that stretch of SR-243.
CHP Asks Public for Tips
Witnesses and anyone with information have been urged to contact the CHP Border Division Major Crimes Unit at 858-944-6300, according to KESQ. The stretch of Highway 243 near Smith Creek Bridge, just outside Beaumont, is part of the active investigation as CHP works to determine what happened before the man was found.
