A tragic incident occurred today on the eastbound State Route 60 at Garfield Avenue in Montebello, CA, where a vehicle struck a pedestrian, resulting in a fatality. The collision happened around 10:39 PM, prompting an immediate response from emergency services, including the fire department and the coroner's office.
Upon arrival, authorities confirmed that two vehicles were involved in the incident. One vehicle fled the scene shortly after the collision, while the other remained. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene, leading to a comprehensive investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
The area was blocked off for several hours to facilitate the investigation, significantly impacting traffic flow. All lanes on the eastbound State Route 60 at Garfield Avenue were closed, and a sigalert was issued to notify drivers of the lane closures. The sigalert remained in effect for approximately four hours before being lifted around 2:02 AM, once all vehicles were cleared from the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing the pedestrian down in the lanes, and it was confirmed that one of the vehicles involved was a gray Chevrolet SUV that returned to the area after initially leaving. The California Highway Patrol is actively investigating the circumstances of the incident and is seeking any additional witnesses who may have information regarding the vehicles involved.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pedestrian, pending notification of next of kin. The community is mourning this tragic loss, and the California Highway Patrol urges anyone with information to come forward.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Authorities encourage all motorists to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic laws to prevent further tragedies on California roadways.