A chaotic scene broke out after a woman and man were struck by a vehicle in an El Cajon roadway, early morning Friday, according to El Cajon police.
The series of events began just before 2 a.m when El Cajon police and fire paramedics responded to reports of an accident involving two pedestrians who had been hit by a vehicle in the westbound lane of W. Main St., said Lt. Frank La Haye, in a media release.
The accident happened in front of the El Cajon Grand Bar, La Haye added.
Witnesses at the scene said a 25-year-old woman, later identified as Melissa N. Ferreira, and a 24-year-old male were struck by a Mitsubishi Montero as the pair crossed W.Main St. at an unmarked crossing while wearing dark clothing.
Ferreira sustained significant injuries after being hit and, despite life-saving efforts by responding medics, was later pronounced dead.
The male victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, La Haye said.
According to a photographer on the scene, a crowd quickly gathered after the accident in the street across from the El Cajon Grand Bar and turned hostile and violent.
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The crowd was reportedly upset about the time it took medics to get to the scene to help save the victims.
Footage of the scene showed several officers standing among the crowd, asking them to step away from the area and two men were seen being taken into custody after they would not comply with officer’s orders to get back. It wasn’t immediately clear if the men would face charges.
Police said the investigation into the accident was ongoing and the driver of the Mitsubishi, who stopped right after the collision, was cooperating.
Both alcohol and speed were not considered factors in the collision, investigators said.
Anyone with information regarding the accident was asked to contact the El Cajon Police Department Traffic Division at 619-441-1632.
