A man who stopped on the freeway to help a disabled motorist was hit by a truck and suffered life-threatening injuries, and the truck took off, according to the CHP.
The victim, a 48-year-old man from Tijuana, had pulled over to help his friend on the right shoulder of northbound Interstate 5 approaching Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad at about 9:40 p.m. Friday, according to CHP Officer Jim Bettencourt.
The truck driver drove onto the shoulder, struck the victim, kept going and exited the freeway at Palomar Airport Road. Carlsbad Police and CHP officers conducted an exhaustive search, but could not find the truck or the driver, Bettencourt said.
The victim was taken by ambulance to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla with what paramedics described as severe, life-threatening injuries.
The pickup truck was described as a newer-model white Toyota Tacoma. It sustained right-front, and possibly right-side damage and may also have gotten a flat right-front or right-rear tire, according to Bettencourt.
The CHP asked anyone with information or tips to call the CHP day or night at (858) 637-3800.
