SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) – California Highway Patrol officers are searching for the driver of a white pickup truck who allegedly caused a deadly hit-and-run on Interstate 15 early Monday morning.
The rider was pedaling to the north in one of the lanes of the freeway approaching West Bernardo Drive when a white GMC truck struck him shortly after 4:30 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. At that time, CHP officers reported that drivers called 911 to report a bicyclist on the busy freeway. The motorist fled.
"That's the only information we have is a white truck, it did stop on the shoulder momentarily," said Sgt. Sofia Mosquieda with the CHP.
Broken-off parts of the pickup remained at the site of the collision, CHP public-affairs Officer Jake Sanchez said. Investigators were trying to use the debris to identify the vehicle and its owner.
"There were other cars that ran over the debris, possibly the body, that stopped and left prior to our arrival,” continued Mosquieda with the CHP.
Northbound lanes of I-15 were shut down at Camino Del Norte and traffic was diverted to the HOV lanes. An environmental crew washed away blood and debris. All lanes were re-opened around 9:00 a.m.
Meanhwile the CHP says it's a mystery why the bicyclist was on I-15.
"I talked to the medical examiner and they have very limited information,” said Mosquieda. “We know it's a male but they didn't have any identification on their person."
CHP officers haven’t been able to locate the driver, who could face hit-and-run charges.
The victim's identity was not immediately released.