A man was involved in a car accident shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day
ENCINITAS, Calif. – A male pedestrian was killed in a fatal crash shortly after midnight Sunday, authorities said.
The vehicle was traveling westbound on Encinitas Boulevard and approaching Coastal Highway 101 when the man allegedly walked northbound crossing Encinitas Boulevard, according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle allegedly struck the man and woman, then continued westbound on West B Street and fled the area.
“The vehicle struck two pedestrians, a man and a woman in their 20s, and the vehicle continued leaving the pedestrians injured on the roadway,” said Sgt. Rob Siegfried of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.
A witness said it appeared that two pedestrians were running to protect themselves from the rain and may have run a red light.
Deputies from the North Shore Sheriff’s Station and personnel from the Encinitas Fire Department responded to the scene, finding the male victim who was then transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Sheriffs described the vehicle as a dark-colored sedan or van, possibly a Chrysler or Dodge, with damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle.
So far, the sheriff’s department has no solid leads or video. They are asking everyone who lives in the surrounding streets to check their cameras.
“Anyone who lives south of B Street in downtown Encinitas, Third or Fourth Street or any of the businesses. It would be sometime after midnight,” explained Siegfried.
Sheriffs said it is unknown at this time if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash.
“The accident happened a little after 12:23 p.m. Please check your cameras during this time to see if you see a vehicle matching that description,” Siegfried pleaded. “It might be a van, but we’re told it’s a dark sedan and if it’s a van, it might be missing the driver’s side mirror.”
The North Shore Sheriff’s Office Traffic Division is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call 760-966-3500.