A 37-year-old man was struck and killed on Interstate 215 in Murrieta, where he walked into traffic, authorities said Tuesday.
Teddy Ramirez of Perris was fatally injured just after 9 p.m. Monday on northbound I-215, near Baxter Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officer Mike Lassig said Ramirez climbed over the chain link fence separating the freeway from surface streets and began walking along the shoulder of northbound lanes for unknown reasons.
A 53-year-old motorist, identified only as a Menifee man, was driving his 2019 Toyota Rav4, going about 65 mph, when he approached the location.
“As the (Toyota) was approaching, the pedestrian walked into the No. 3 lane, directly into the path of the vehicle,” Lassig said. “As a result, the Toyota collided into the pedestrian.”
The motorist immediately stopped and called 911.
Murrieta Fire & Rescue personnel reached the location within 10 minutes and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
The No. 3 lane on the northbound side of I-215 was shut down for roughly two hours after the fatality.
The CHP investigation is ongoing.