Coroner ID's Pedestrian Killed In I-215 Murrieta Overnight Crash

MURRIETA, CA — A pedestrian was struck and killed crossing the I-215 Freeway in Murrieta late Monday, California Highway Patrol officers said.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, on the freeway just north of Baxter Road in Murrieta. The Riverside County Coroner's Bureau later identified him as Teddy Ramirez, 37, of Perris.

Shortly before 9:15 p.m., a Toyota RAV4 was heading northbound on the I-215 through Murrieta, just north of Clinton Keith in the #3 lane. Just then, a pedestrian leaped a chain link fence and crossed into the oncoming northbound traffic, CHP officer Anthony Flores.

Ramirez walked directly into the path of the Toyota even as it attempted to veer out of the way into another lane, according to reports.

CHP officers said the Toyota driver cooperated with officers during the subsequent investigation. No arrests were made. The pedestrian's reason for attempting to cross the freeway on foot remained under investigation according to Florez.