A motorist who struck and killed a construction worker alongside the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway possibly lost control of the car, veering onto the shoulder of the roadway, where the worker had his back to traffic, authorities said Wednesday.
The fatality occurred about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday on the westbound 60, just east of Moreno Beach Drive, in Moreno Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Sgt. Steven Rusk told City News Service the driver of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata was being driven at about 45 mph in the slow lane when the sedan abruptly steered onto the shoulder and then into the dirt, where a Spectrum Construction Co. crew was working.
“The vehicle struck the worker, who evidently had his back turned to traffic,” Rusk said. “He didn’t see the car coming.”
Riverside County Fire Department paramedics arrived minutes later and pronounced the man, whose name was not immediately released, dead at the scene.
The motorist, whose name was not disclosed, was detained and questioned by CHP officers, but no arrest was made.
Rusk said there was no evidence the driver was impaired. However, the investigation is ongoing.