VALLE VISTA — Authorities Wednesday were seeking the public’s help identifying the motorist who ran over and killed a 27-year-old man east of Hemet, then fled the scene.
Elder Oswaldo Mazariegos Lopez of Hemet was fatally struck just before 10 p.m. Friday on Highway 74, less than a block east of Georgia Avenue, in the unincorporated community of Valle Vista, according to the California Highway Patrol.
According to Officer Jonathan Torres, Lopez was walking in the highway’s eastbound lanes when he was hit by a vehicle.
“The pedestrian was struck in the No. 2 lane,” Torres told City News Service. “The impact threw him into the No. 1 lane. After the collision, the driver fled eastbound.”
Torres said two other vehicles likely drove over the victim as he lay on the darkened stretch of highway. The drivers apparently didn’t realize they’d hit him, or after realizing they did, they also chose to flee.
Moments later, another motorist spotted Lopez on the highway and stopped, calling 911.
“Riverside County Fire Department paramedics pronounced the pedestrian deceased at the scene,” Torres said.
The make and model of the initial hit-and-run vehicle could not be confirmed.
It was unclear why the victim was walking in eastbound lanes.
Anyone with information about the death was asked to contact the CHP’s San Gorgonio office at 951-846-5300.
