A driver who had been arguing with a second motorist who rear-ended his car on Interstate 5 in Carlsbad early Wednesday was fatally struck by a third and fourth vehicle.
The victim, a 52-year-old Los Angeles man, stopped his Pontiac Grand Prix for unknown reasons in the northbound lanes near Palomar Airport Road around 3:15 a.m. An approaching Chevy Equinox hit the Pontiac from behind moments later, causing the victim's car to skid into the center divider, California Highway Patrol Officer Jim Bettencourt said.
The victim got out and ran across the freeway to confront the 50-year- old Torrance man behind the wheel of the small Chevy SUV, which had come to a rest on the roadside, according to the officer.
Immediately after the two drivers were done arguing, the victim began running back toward the wreckage of his car and was struck by a Toyota Corolla. Bettencourt said the injured motorist was thrown into the roadway and was subsequently hit by a Honda Civic.
The victim died at the scene, and his name has yet to be made public.
The driver of the Corolla, a 57-year old Los Angeles man, was taken to a hospital to be treated for hand injuries, Bettencourt said.
The crash prompted authorities to temporarily close the entire northbound freeway in the area and issue a SigAlert, but the lanes were later reopened, according to the CHP.
