A man walking along Highway 74 in Good Hope was struck and killed when an SUV hit him after he apparently stepped into the vehicle’s path, authorities said Thursday.
The fatality occurred at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday on the eastbound side of the four-lane corridor, just east of Betty Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officer Mike Lassig said the pedestrian, whose identity was not immediately released, was initially on the paved south shoulder of the highway, though it was unclear whether he had his back to traffic, or was facing it.
Lassig said a 23-year-old Fontana woman at the wheel of a 2021 Lexus RX350 was traveling at a unconfirmed speed in the No. 2 eastbound lane as she drove past Betty.
“It appeared the pedestrian stepped into the lane as the Lexus approached his location,” the CHP spokesman said.
The right front fender of the SUV impacted the victim, hurling him onto the roadway, according to Lassig.
The motorist immediately stopped and called 911. She was not hurt.
Riverside County Fire Department paramedics arrived within minutes and discovered the victim gravely injured. He was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Officers questioned the driver but did not arrest her.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact the CHP Temecula office at 951-466-4300.