Updated Sept. 22, 12:34 p.m.–
The Citrus Heights Police Department is seeking additional information from the public as officers investigate a Sunday-morning collision on Auburn Boulevard involving a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.
The collision occurred just before 1 a.m. near Kanai Avenue, resulting in a portion of Auburn Boulevard being closed down for about four hours to allow for an investigation, according to a police news release issued Sunday. Police said a preliminary investigation revealed the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk, and several witnesses on scene said the pedestrian did not have the right of way while crossing.
“The car who had the green light hit him and he flew up in the air,” said Ethan Gillian who witnessed the collision after coming out of the nearby Rocky’s 7440 Club. The pedestrian was provided medical treatment at the scene and transported to a local hospital and listed in “critical condition,” according to Officer Anthony Boehle. As of Monday afternoon, Officer Boehle said he did not have an update from the hospital on the pedestrian’s condition.
Police said the driver of the vehicle was cooperative with the investigation and officers believe speed was not a factor in Sunday’s crash.
Witness William Bish initially told The Sentinel that a silver Mitsubishi, which was observed on scene in the middle of Auburn Boulevard, had struck the pedestrian. Officer Boehle later confirmed on Tuesday that a white Prius was the only vehicle involved. The Prius had been sectioned-off with crime scene tape about 100 feet away from the accident scene and had a severely smashed-in front windshield and damage to the hood.
[See photo: white Prius involved in pedestrian collision]
Sunday’s collision occurred within a few feet of where a 26-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle on Valentine’s Day earlier this year. She passed away a few days later from injuries sustained in the crash.
Three pedestrians have died on Citrus Heights streets this year; two of which have occurred on Auburn Boulevard.
[Related: Pedestrian fatality on Auburn Blvd marks 3rd killed this year]
In Sunday’s press statement, police reminded pedestrians “to use caution when crossing the roadway, and to use crosswalks and pedestrian signals when present.” Anyone with information related to the collision is asked to contact CHPD’s Traffic Unit at (916) 727-5500.
[follow text=”Get more local news:”]
