A driver was killed when he was tossed onto the roadway and hit by a vehicle after his van broke down on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway in the Acton area and a big rig crashed into the van.
The victim was driving a 1996 Chevrolet Astro van in the early morning darkness when the vehicle became disabled in the northbound number four lane south of Escondido Canyon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The van was struck by a 2010 Freightliner tractor/trailer combination driven by a 40-year-old Palmdale man, the CHP reported.
The impact ejected the van driver onto the freeway, where he was possibly struck by another vehicle, according to the CHP.
The motorist was pronounced dead at the scene. His name, age and hometown were not immediately available.
The big rig driver was not hurt.
The crash Wednesday at about 1 a.m. closed three southbound lanes until just after 7 a.m.
Neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected as factors in the crash.
Because witnesses reported a third vehicle may have been involved, investigators were asking anyone who may have seen or has information about the crash to call the CHP’s Newhall Area office at (661) 294-5540.
–City News Service