Body Found Near Dumpster in La Jolla

The man's body was found behind Jonathan's Market

A man who was found dead behind a La Jolla grocery store was pinned against a wall by a dumpster after a truck backed into a loading dock, according to police who have reviewed surveillance video.

An employee found the man’s body around 7 a.m. Wednesday pinned against a cement wall between a loading dock and a dumpster behind Jonathan's Market on Fay Avenue, according to police.

The truck entered the parking lot, which is shared by Vons and Jonathan's Market, around 6 p.m. Tuesday and backed into the loading dock, according to police. They say the back of the trailer hit two dumpsters, which were separated by about three feet.  

A man was standing behind the dumpster closest to the wall, possibly dumpster diving, and was pinned up against the cement wall, police said.

The victim is in his eighties, according to police. It’s unknown if the man was homeless or lived nearby.

Employees from Jonathan's Market say they recognize the victim.

It’s unclear what the driver did after the accident.

“When he pulled into there, he came off of the video tape from Vons, so we can't see if he got out of the vehicle or not,” said Sgt. Jim Reschke.

The incident is under investigation.

“Maybe he never even heard the older gentleman back there who died. He may never have heard that and if he didn't, well then you can't charge somebody with a hit and run if they don't know it,” said Sgt. Reschke.

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