Man Killed Running Across 605 Freeway In Cerritos ID'd

CERRITOS, CA – Authorities publicly identified a San Diego man hit and killed trying to run across the southbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in Cerritos Sunday.

Ivan Vazquez, 25, died from blunt force traumatic injuries, the coroner's office said.

The fatal crash near South Street was reported at 6:16 p.m. Friday, California Highway Patrol Officer J. Lodeen said.

The victim now identified as Vazquez ran westbound across the southbound lanes of the San Gabriel River Freeway and directly into the path of a 2002 Mercedes E320 driven by Joel Medesto, a 62-year-old Cerritos resident, Lodeen said.

Medesto did not have time to react and the front of the Mercedes struck the pedestrian, who suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Lodeen said. Medesto was not hurt.

It was not known why the man was running across the freeway.

Alcohol and or drugs were not a factor in regards to Modesto, but it was unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor for the victim, Lodeen said.

The CHP closed four lanes of traffic for its investigation, reopening all lanes at 8:50 p.m.

City News Service contributed to this post