A 76-year-old De Luz man was struck and killed by his own classic car after he stepped out of the vehicle and walked onto his driveway, where the car rolled over him, authorities said Monday.
George Ness was fatally injured about 5 p.m. Sunday at 22305 Corte Bonita, near De Luz Road, just west of Temecula, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officer Mike Lassig said that Ness pulled his 1935 Chrysler Airflow out of an enclosure on his property, possibly in preparation for a ride.
It was unclear whether he left the antique car idling.
“The party exited the vehicle and failed to secure it,” Lassig said. “The vehicle then began to roll and travel in reverse in a southwesterly direction.”
The Chrysler backed into the victim and rolled over him in the driveway, according to the CHP spokesman.
Witnesses called 911, and an ambulance crew arrived a short time later, pronouncing the senior dead at the scene.
An investigation is ongoing.