CARLSBAD, Calif. -- A 52-year-old Los Angeles man was killed after he was struck by a car while running across the Interstate 5 freeway in Carlsbad Wednesday morning amid a chain reaction crash.
California Highway Patrol reports that at 3:16 a.m., a Pontiac Grand Prix traveling on I-5 north, just north of Palomar Airport Road, came to a stop on the freeway and was rear-ended by a Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 50-year-old Torrance man. The Pontiac was pushed into the center divide and the Equinox came to rest on the shoulder.
According to CHP, the driver of the Pontiac then ran across to the Equinox and began to arguing with the other driver, who later told CHP that the man was acting strangely.
After the argument ended, the Pontiac’s driver ran back across the freeway and was struck by a Toyota Corolla. While lying in the road, the driver was struck a second time by a Honda Civic.
He died at the scene. His name was not released.
The 57-year-old Los Angeles man driving the Corolla was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla with hand injuries.
A Sig Alert was issued at 3:40 a.m. and I-5 north was completely shut down. All northbound traffic was being diverted off I-5 at Palomar Airport Road and being diverted up to Cannon Road. I-5 north was fully reopened just after 6 a.m.
It is unclear if the victim was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, CHP said. An investigation is ongoing. No names were immediately released.
