Investigators Tuesday tried to determine how a dead 74-year- old man wound up pinned under his motor home on the shoulder of the San Diego (405) Freeway in Costa Mesa, with the vehicle’s engine running and in drive mode, the California Highway Patrol reported.
“We don’t know why he was there,” CHP Officer Paul Fox said, “or why he was pulled over. None of the tires was flat.”
The man was found about 4:45 p.m. Monday by a Freeway Service Patrol driver who had stopped at the scene south of Fairview Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Firefighters pronounced the man dead at the scene. His name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives. An autopsy was pending.
The victim was found on his back under the vehicle, pinned by the rear axle and differential, said Fox. The engine was running and the vehicle had been placed in drive. The motor home didn’t roll forward because the victim was pinned under it, said Fox.
The victim was the only person associated with the vehicle found at the scene, according to the officer.
Fox described the victim as the owner and driver of the motor home.
Three northbound freeway lanes were closed while an investigation was conducted. Anyone with information on the death was urged to contact the CHP’s Santa Ana Area office at (714) 567-6000.
–City News Service