An unidentified 20-year-old man was killed while trying to cross
southbound Highway 101 after his vehicle collided with a big rig
Monday night, police said.
An unidentified 20-year-old man was killed while trying to cross southbound Highway 101 after his vehicle collided with a big rig Monday night, police said.
According to California Highway Patrol officials, the victim had been reported as driving recklessly before sideswiping the big rig’s left side just south of Highway 25.
“It sounds like he was in and out of lanes,” said CHP Officer Chris Armstrong.
After striking the big rig, the man’s 1990 Honda Accord came to rest against the guardrail in the center median strip about 8:20pm.
“He got out and attempted to run across Highway 101 and at that point gets struck by an Audi,” he said.
Police are uncertain why the man elected to leave the vehicle and run across the roadway.
The 55-year-old Audi driver from Salinas did not have time to apply the brakes after he saw the man, police said. The man was struck on the left front side in the fast lane and was thrown 50 feet from the crash. No charges will be filed against the driver, who immediately pulled over to the shoulder, police said.
About 20 seconds later the victim was struck a second time by an identified vehicle that did not pull over. Police are not pressing charges against this driver.
Gilroy Fire Department paramedics pronounced the 20-year-old man dead at the scene.
The Santa Clara County Coroner’s office has not yet released the man’s identity.
“The next of kin has not been contacted yet,” Armstrong said. “They’ve been trying to pursue all avenues and still nothing yet.”
The crash is under investigation by CHP officials.
As of press time there was no information available about whether alcohol or drugs were factors.
