CHP shoots and kills man on 5 Freeway in Irvine, prompting hours-long closure
A California Highway Patrol officer fatally shot a 30-year-old man on the 5 Freeway in Irvine, and the investigation resulted in an hours-long closure of southbound lanes, authorities said.
The shooting was reported shortly after 7 p.m. on the southbound side of the freeway near the 133 toll road, according to Capt. Larry Kurtz of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Motorists had reported that a man was running in the northbound lanes and hopped over the median, then ran into the southbound lanes, according to CHP Officer Paul Fox.
The man was struck by at least one vehicle.
Officers arrived and eventually one of the officers opened fire at the man. It’s unclear what immediately led to the shooting or how many shots were fired.
Kurtz said paramedics rushed the man to Orange County Global Medical Center. Fox said the man later died of his injuries.
The man’s identity was not released pending notification of his family.
Traffic was rerouted onto the southbound 133 Freeway and a SigAlert was issued about 7:30 p.m. It’s unclear when the lanes would reopen.
The shooting will be investigated by the CHP as well as the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Twitter: @MattHjourno.
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