Cerritos sheriff's deputies are looking for a felony hit-and-run driver whose sideview mirror struck a pedestrian in the back of the head along Artesia Boulevard on Tuesday night, leaving the victim with a deep laceration to his head.
The events leading to the accident took place about 5:45 p.m. Dec. 18 when the victim, a 65-year-old Hawthorne resident, was driving on Artesia Boulevard between Valley View Avenue and Edwards Road and his vehicle ran out of gas. After his vehicle stalled, he began walking west on Artesia to render help, according to Deputy Tim Britt of the Cerritos Sheriff's Station.
The man was strolling along the outter most part of the roadway because there was no sidewalk in that area, and as he was walking, a high-profile vehicle -- possibly a large truck or cargo van -- passed by and its sideview mirror struck him on the back of the head, the deputy said.
The driver failed to stop and drove away. The victim was left bleeding from a deep cut on the back of his head, Britt added.
A short time later, a UPS driver spotted the victim staggering along the roadway and stopped to help him. Due to UPS policy, the driver could not give the victim a ride and instead, walked with him to the nearest open business where he asked the receptionist to call for help.
When a Cerritos deputy arrived, Britt said that in a state of confusion from his injury, the victim believed that the UPS driver was the one who hit him. However, the deputy inspected the driver's truck and determined that there was no evidence that indicated such and the driver was cleared from any wrongdoing.
The victim was brought to a hospital and received stiches for his injury, Britt said.
"At this point, it is unknown who struck the victim and caused this blow to his head," Britt said. "Anyone who may have witnessed this accident on late Tuesday afternoon is asked to call the Cerritos Sheriff's Station."
Information or any leads on this accident should be forwarded to the Cerritos Sheriff's Station at (562) 860-0044.
