San Diego

Child Struck by Truck While Walking on City Heights-Area Freeway

A child suffered major injuries when he was struck by a truck while wandering on a City Heights-area freeway at midnight Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol confirmed. 

The 4-year-old was walking on the off-ramp from southbound lanes of state Route 15 to University Avenue when an oncoming black Chevy Silverado struck the boy, CHP said.

Medics rushed the tot to the nearby Rady Children's Medical Center. CHP Officer Jake Sanchez said the boy suffered major injuries. At this time, officials are not releasing the boy's name.

The driver of the black Chevy Silverado was not believed to be impaired and stopped to cooperate with investigators following the collision. 

The driver sent a statement to NBC 7 saying he had just left school and was headed for McDonald's when he encountered the boy.

"At first I didn’t know who or what it was, like a ghost out of a scary movie. Then I immediately realize a face of a young boy," he said.

The driver said he jerked his wheel to try and avoid the child but was too late. He pulled over and ran to the child, then flagged down another driver who called 911.

"I helped the young boy as best I could, sheltering him, and keeping him warm until medical professionals arrived and took over," the driver said.

The San Diego Police Department is investigating whether a crime was committed. The SDPD said investigators with the child abuse unit were looking into the case.

It was not clear how the boy managed to get onto the freeway in the first place. Neither CHP or SDPD provided any other details. 

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