Pedestrian struck and killed on 5 Freeway

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California Highway Patrol officers arrested a motorist early Saturday after he apparently struck and killed a pedestrian on the 5 Freeway near Valencia, authorities said.

The victim was walking on a southbound lane of the freeway north of Rye Canyon Road about 1 a.m. when he was struck by the driver of a Toyota Tacoma, officials said. The driver is believed to have been going about 70 mph when he struck the pedestrian.

The driver reportedly felt an impact to the front of his truck and pulled onto the right shoulder to call 911 and report the accident, according to the CHP. He told officers he thought he hit an animal.

Officers located the victim in the center divider of the southbound lanes, officers said. The man, who has not been identified but was believed to be about 65 years old, had been struck by the left front bumper and windshield of the Toyota, according to the CHP.

The man’s body is believed to have been hit by other passing vehicles that never stopped, authorities said.

The driver, 49, sustained minor cuts to his left hand, and his passenger was not injured. The driver was arrested.

It is believed alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, officers said. The investigation is ongoing.

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-- Hailey Branson-Potts

twitter.com/haileybranson