A 73-year-old man died Sunday, hours after being struck by a car while jogging through dense fog on a Murrieta street just before 7 a.m. Nabil Alsalek was crossing at the intersection of Meadowlark Lane and Whitewood Road when a 52-year-old motorist heading southbound entered the intersection at an unconfirmed speed, according to the Murrieta Police Department.
Traffic Investigator Dale De Schepper and Traffic Unit Sergeant Brent Sforzini are leading the investigation, according to a Murrieta Police Department press release. As MyNewsLA.com reported, Alsalek crossed in front of the motorist and was struck in the resulting impact, with a Murrieta woman who witnessed the crash stopping immediately and calling 911; she was not injured.
The outlet's report notes that the woman told authorities she attempted to swerve to avoid Alsalek before the collision. Murrieta Fire & Rescue arrived to find the jogger in grave condition, per the same account, and paramedics provided emergency aid on scene before transport.
Conflicting Reports on Hospital Destination
Early media summaries, including the original account from the outlet's report, stated Alsalek was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar. However, the official Murrieta Police Department press release confirmed he was instead taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where medical personnel performed life-saving efforts before he succumbed to his injuries roughly five hours after the crash.
Inland Valley Medical Center, regardless of the transport discrepancy, remains a significant piece of regional emergency infrastructure. The Wildomar hospital is a designated Trauma Center and is accredited by the Joint Commission, according to Southwest Healthcare Inland Valley Medical Center.
No Arrest, No Signs of Impairment
The motorist was questioned by authorities but was not arrested, and police found no indication that alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision, the outlet's report states. The driver's exact speed at the time of impact has not been confirmed.
Still, California law places clear obligations on drivers navigating fog like the conditions Alsalek encountered before dawn. Under California Vehicle Code §22350, known as the Basic Speed Law, motorists must reduce their speed below posted limits when weather or low visibility impairs safe driving, according to Ticket Crushers — meaning a driver traveling at the speed limit can still be in violation if conditions call for slower travel. Separately, California Vehicle Code §24400 requires headlights during darkness or foggy conditions that reduce visibility, per the City of Corte Madera.
A Corridor With a History of Crashes
The stretch of roadway where Alsalek died is no ordinary neighborhood street. Whitewood Road at Meadowlark Lane is classified under Murrieta city planning and CEQA documentation as a 100-foot-wide, four-lane “Major Highway” arterial built to handle heavy regional cross-town traffic, according to CEQAnet records.
The same intersection made headlines when a police pursuit of a carjacking suspect from Temecula ended in a crash at the identical junction, forcing a southbound closure of Whitewood Road, as reported by Patch.
Pedestrian Safety Trends Across the Region
Alsalek's death adds to concerns about pedestrian safety across Riverside County.
Statewide, California recorded 1,106 pedestrian fatalities in 2023, an 8.8% decline from 1,213 deaths the year before, per data cited by Hanson & Mouri. Nationally, preliminary figures from the Governors Highway Safety Association showed 7,148 pedestrians were struck and killed across the U.S. in 2024 — a total still nearly 20% higher than 2016 levels despite two consecutive years of decline, with nighttime collisions and poor visibility remaining key contributing factors.
The investigation into Alsalek's death remains active, and Murrieta police are asking anyone with information to contact the traffic unit at 951-440-2304. The crash underscores the importance of road safety in the city.
