California pedestrian killed in hit-and-run

The California Highway Patrol is asking the public's assistance to identify a suspect responsible for a fatal hit-and-run on Saturday.

  "It did not stop. It did not render aid, nor did it even notify authorities," said Mark Pearce, spokesman for the CHP area office in Winterhaven. "It just fled the scene."

  According to the CHP's investigation, at about 7:51 p.m., a 75-year-old pedestrian was crossing State Route 78 just north of Clark Way in the town of Palo Verde, Calif.

  While crossing, the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle that was heading eastbound on SR-78 toward Blythe, Calif.

  Pearce said the pedestrian, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin was flown by Life Flight helicopter to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs, Calif., where he later died.

  The suspected vehicle is believed to be a white Hyundai Sonato or Accent. Pearce added that it is not know which state license plate the Hyundai had.

  Anyone with any information about the collision is being asked to contact Officer Fontes, who is conducting the investigating, at the Winterhaven Are California Highway Patrol Office at 1-760-572-0294.

---

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.