Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck a pedestrian who had pulled onto the shoulder of northbound Interstate 5 Friday night to help a friend whose car broke down, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed.
A pickup truck driver drove onto the shoulder around 9:40 p.m., hitting the 48-year-old man standing near his car. The suspect then exited the freeway at Palomar Airport Road.
The man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Despite exhaustive searches by CHP officers and the Carlsbad Police Department, the driver wasn’t located.
The suspect’s truck is a newer white Toyota Tacoma.
It sustained right-front, and possibly right-side damage, and may have also suffered a flat right-front or right-rear tire.
Anyone with information or tips about the possible identity of the pickup truck and/or its driver is asked to call the CHP 24-hours a day at 858-637-3800.
