Pedestrian Killed On I-780 In Benicia; Hit-And-Run Driver Sought

BENICIA, CA — A Modesto man was struck and killed by a suspected hit-and-run driver Monday night while walking on or near Interstate Highway 780 in Benicia, an official with the California Highway Patrol's Solano Area Office said.

The fatal incident happened at 7:43 p.m. Monday on westbound I-780 just east of the State Park Drive overcrossing, said CHP Officer David Harvey.

"For reasons unknown at this time, a 56-year-old male, from Modesto was walking on or near I-780, when he was struck by a vehicle traveling west at an unknown speed," Harvey said. "The driver of the suspect vehicle failed to stop at the scene and continued traveling westbound on Interstate 780."

The deceased was identified Tuesday by the Solano County Sheriff-Coroner's Office as Steve Layman, and confirmed he was a 56-year-old resident of Modesto.

Westbound I-780 traffic was affected for around an hour Monday night while the collision was being investigated. CHP's Golden Gate Air unit responded, along with Solano CHP ground units and personnel from the Benicia Police Department.

Physical evidence found at the scene pointed to a 2013-2018 silver Honda Accord with moderate right-side damage as the possible suspect vehicle, Harvey said.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspected hit-and-run driver or the car is urged to call the Solano CHP office at 707-428-2100 and ask for Officer C. Mitchell who is handling the investigation.