Fatal Hit-And-Run On 5 Freeway In San Juan Capistrano

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — A grim discovery was made for drivers on the I-5 southbound just south of the Ortega Highway. The 911 calls began at approximately 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, as drivers noticed what was possibly an animal or person in the roadway.

"Officers responded to the area reported by witnesses to find a person had been struck by a vehicle which had left the scene," CHP Officer Rafael Reynoso said. Orange County Fire Authority arrived on scene and pronounced the person deceased, according to Reynoso.

The Southbound I-5 was closed from 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday morning.

The body is currently being identified by the Orange County Coroner, and identity will be released when the next of kin has been notified.

The man, whose name was not released, appeared to have been struck multiple times by other vehicles, CHP Officer Tom MCCulloch said.

"Investigators were working to determine if the victim was a pedestrian on the road, perhaps committing suicide, or someone pushed from a car," McCulloch said. "Police have recovered debris on the side of the road and will try to work up a make and model of the hit-and-run vehicle from that."

Anyone who was a witness or has any other relevant information forinvestigators was asked to call the San Juan Capistrano office of the CHP at(949) 487-4000 and ask for McCulloch or Officers T. Meyers and Officer M.Schuman.

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