Police to investigate Ventura Freeway death

Authorities say they are continuing to investigate the death of a 55-year-old Long Beach man who was struck and killed Saturday night while helping to change a flat tire on the Ventura (134) Freeway, although it appears to have been a “horrible accident.”

The man, who Los Angeles County coroner’s officials identified as Donald Bishop, was struck and killed on the 134 Freeway near the Buena Vista Street off-ramp at about 10:45 p.m. as he walked back to his car after helping a friend change a tire on a Ford pickup.

A 27-year-old Burbank man, whose name was not immediately released, was driving about 65 mph in the No. 4 lane of the freeway and “allowed his vehicle to drive on the right shoulder,” where it collided with Bishop and his Ford Aerostar, California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Bender said.

The collision sent debris into the air, striking the driver of the Ford pickup, a 52-year-old Cerritos man. He was taken to Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center with multiple lacerations to his head, according to the CHP.

The collision also caused a three-car pile-up on the freeway, Bender said, after the Burbank man abruptly stopped to provide assistance, but no injuries were reported.

Bishop was pronounced dead at the scene by Burbank firefighters.

The Burbank man was not intoxicated Bender said, adding that “it appears to be a horrible accident and we need to fully investigate the matter before any charges are brought forward.”