Oregon man killed tending to broken down car on Interstate 5 in California identified
UPDATE: The victim on Wednesday was identified by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as Geoffrey Balzer, 76, of Coos County, Oregon.
ORIGINAL STORY: A 76-year-old man tending to his broken down car on Interstate 5 in Fresno County was killed when he was hit by a big rig, the California Highway Patrol said Tuesday.
The man was working on the car on the right shoulder but standing within the roadway about 11 p.m. Monday on I-5 north of Jayne Avenue in Coalinga, CHP said.
A Peterbilt truck driven by a 31-year-old Bakersfield man approached from behind, but the driver did not see the victim at the edge of the lane, the CHP said.
While traveling at 55 mph, the big rig struck Balzer, who died at the scene from his injuries, CHP said.
The big rig driver stayed at the scene of the fatal incident and was not suspected of being impaired, officers said.
This story was originally published June 6, 2023 at 1:28 PM.
