A man was changing his tire on the side of Interstate 5 in the South Bay when he was struck by car and killed. Now, investigators are searching for the hit-and-run driver, who abandoned his car on the freeway and ran away from the scene of the accident. NBC 7’s Chris Chan reports.
A driver changing a flat tire was struck and killed Tuesday along southbound Interstate 5 in Chula Vista.
Officers say a man described as in his 30s was driving a black Honda Civic coupe when he stopped on the left shoulder near the center divider at E Street around 5:30 a.m.
The driver stepped out of his vehicle to change a flat tire in the fast lane, according to the CHP. The car’s trunk was opened with several packages and a spare tire on the ground.
Suddenly, a driver in a gray Dodge Stratus struck the man once. The victim landed 25 yards in front of his car.
The CHP says the Dodge then hit the center divider and stopped in the median. The driver fled the scene, CHP officials said.
After pursuing a few leads, the CHP announced it has identified some persons of interest, but the case remains under investigation.
"Your tire or your rim is not worth your life," said Sgt. Dan Kyle. "Anytime you can exit the freeway to call a tow truck or change that tire, you're better off doing that."
Local
Two southbound lanes of traffic were blocked just north of State Route 54 all morning.
