Pedestrian in dark clothes dies early Christmas morning in car crash

A pedestrian standing in dark clothing on a road near Dinuba died early Christmas morning after being hit by a car, the California Highway Patrol said.

The man, whose age and identity are unknown, was wearing a black sweatshirt and camouflage pants. He stood in the southbound lane of Road 56, north of Lawrence Avenue, which is southwest of Dinuba.

A 19-year-old Traver man was driving a 2001 Cadillac DeVille south on Road 56, north of Lawrence. Because the pedestrian was wearing dark clothes and the road is not illuminated by overhead street lights, the driver didn’t see him.

The driver hit the pedestrian, whose body was thrown into the northbound lane before striking the asphalt. He was severely injured and was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Dopkins Funeral Chapel in Dinuba.

The CHP said the cause of the crash is still under investigation. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have contributed.

This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 2:27 PM with the headline "Pedestrian in dark clothes dies early Christmas morning in car crash."