Man ID'd, Tragic Details Released In Deadly I-15 Incident

CORONA, CA — A man who died on Interstate 15 early New Year's Day has been publicly identified by the Riverside County coroner's office. Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol reports the man not only fell out of a vehicle onto the roadway — but was subsequently struck by a large truck.

Coroner's officials say Bret McKinney died around 2:46 a.m. on the northbound side of the 15 freeway, less than a mile south of Dos Lagos Drive. He was just 22 and a resident of Corona.

Though the crash is still under investigation, the California Highway Patrol reports that McKinney fell out of a moving vehicle onto the freeway just prior to his death. Around 2:20 a.m., he was riding the the right rear seat of a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, according to CHP Officer Dan Olivas.

"For reasons still under investigation, the male opened the right rear door and fell to the roadway," Olivas said. "The male was subsequently struck by a large truck, possibly a two or three axle tractor without a trailer."

The truck continued on, Olivas said. It's not clear if the driver realized that he or she struck McKinney.

"The driver of the Volkswagen immediately stopped and reported the incident," Olivas said. "Emergency personnel responded and pronounced the male deceased on scene."

The California Highway Patrol is looking for any witnesses to the deadly incident to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call the Riverside California Highway Patrol Accident Investigation Unit, at (951) 637-8000.

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Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone