A Caltrans worker was struck by a car and killed on a San Diego highway Monday morning.
Richard Gonzalez, 52, of San Ysidro was picking up trash on northbound Interstate 15 at the eastbound State Route 94 on-ramp just before 9 a.m. when he was struck by a car.
A white Cadillac with windshield damage on its passenger side was parked near the covered body along the right side of the road.
Investigators with the California Highway Patrol said Gonzalez started to walk across the two transition lanes.
The driver of the Cadillac swerved in an attempt to avoid Gonzalez but didn't and struck him with the right front of the car.
A 52-year-old passenger was treated for abrasions to the leg. The 27-year-old driver was cuffed and taken to a nearby CHP office to be evaluated for possible drug influence. He was determined not to be under the influence and was released officials said.
Chargers are pending the outcome of the investigation officials said.
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Gonzalez, who worked for the Special Programs Crew based in Chula Vista, had been with Caltrans since July 2008.
This is the third California Department of Transportation worker death in this district in seven weeks. On May 4, Stephen Palmer Sr died in National City. On June 7, Jaime Obeso, 53, was struck and killed along eastbound Interstate 8 near the Sunbeam Rest Area.
After news of Gonzalez' death, Caltrans ordered all its maintenance workers statewide to stand down from their duties for the rest of the day.
In January 2007, it became illegal for drivers not to either move over or slow down when they approach a marked Caltrans vehicle with its warning lights on. Then in 2010, state law was expanded to require drivers make a lane change away from emergency vehicles along the shoulder. If a lane change isn't possible, law requires that drivers slow down to a "prudent speed."
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