A tree trimmer pulling branches out of the road was fatally hit by a car in Valley Center, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.
The collision happened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Cole Grade Road and Hilldale Road when a 34-year-old driver, of Valley Center, drove his 2004 GMC Sierra southbound on Golde Grade Road, CHP officer Jim Bettencourt said. He was driving 35 to 40 miles per hour at the time of the collision.
Workers from Davey's Tree Service were trimming trees along the shoulder when one of the trimmers who was pulling branches out of the roadway walked into the southbound lane, Bettencourt said. One co-worker was there at the time. It is unclear why he walked into the lane.
The driver could not stop prior to colliding with the man, CHP officials said. The pedestrian was pronounced dead on scene after resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
"At this point, our primary concern is for the family and other employees working in that area," Jennifer Lennox, a spokeswoman for The Davey Tree Expert Company, said. "This is a tragedy for the entire Davey family and our thoughts and prayers are with employee’s family, co-workers and loved ones."
Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the collision.
The crash remains under investigation. CHP officials said they do not know whether charges will be filed or not.
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No further information was immediately available.
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