ESCONDIDO, CA – Escondido Police are investigating a bizarre and tragic hit-and-run crash that left a man dead Friday night near the intersection of 9th Avenue and South Redwood Street.
Bizarre Chain of Events
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Friday. Security camera footage from a nearby business shows the victim walking near the roadway while wearing black clothing and holding a light, possibly a phone or flashlight.
According to the footage, the man appeared to be searching for something near the sidewalk before stepping into the middle of South Redwood Street. Within seconds, an eastbound black sedan struck him, throwing him into the air.
Moments later, a westbound truck drove over the man as he lay in the roadway. Shockingly, neither vehicle stopped at the scene.
Abandoned Vehicle Located
While no arrests have been made, investigators have located a black sedan abandoned in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle has a broken driver’s-side rearview mirror, which damage officials say is consistent with the collision.
Authorities are also utilizing audio from a second security video to determine the exact timeline of the impacts and whether additional vehicles were involved. In the immediate aftermath, three other cars narrowly missed the victim before drivers finally stopped to render aid.
Community Reaction
Local business owner Brian Murison, who reviewed the footage, described the circumstances as highly unusual. “He had a flashlight looking for something, but he shouldn’t have been in the middle of the street,” Murison noted, adding that while the initial crash may have been unavoidable due to visibility, the drivers should not have fled.
The identity of the victim is being withheld pending family notification.
