Update: Man killed running across Highway 99 in Fresno identified. CHP found him naked
A nude man was killed after running across Highway 99 in Fresno while fleeing from officers, the California Highway Patrol said Friday.
Multiple 911 callers reported a car crashed into the center divider on the northbound side of Highway 99 south of Highway 180 around 10:10 p.m. Thursday, CHP said in a news release. Callers also reported a man running on the highway.
Officers arrived to find an abandoned car against the center divider and the man unclothed and in the roadway, CHP said.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the man on Friday as Vicente Ortega, 21, of Fresno.
As officers approached Ortega, he fled, jumping the center divider and crossing the traffic headed south, CHP said. A 78-year-old man driving a 2019 Toyota Corolla was unable to avoid the pedestrian and the car struck him.
Ortega died from his injuries at the scene, CHP said. Toxicology results were not available Friday for the deceased man.
The driver and his 50-year-old passenger stayed at the scene and spoke with officers, CHP said. He was not impaired, and neither reported any injuries, according to CHP.
Officers could not immediately say if Ortega was connected to the initial crash into the median or if he was the driver of that car.
This story was originally published August 26, 2022 at 6:36 AM.
