Body of Lawndale Man Found Near Freeway

A truck driver discovered the body of a 45-year-old man Monday on the shoulder of a freeway on-ramp in Sun Valley, authorities said.

Benjamin L. Santin of Lawndale was found dead about 9:45 a.m. next to the Lankershim Boulevard on-ramp of the Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles Police Detective Mike Coffey said.

There was no evidence of homicide, and it did not appear that Santin had been struck by a vehicle, Coffey said. The cause of death will not be known until an autopsy is performed today or Wednesday, he said.

Coffey said Santin appeared to have died within 48 hours of the discovery of his fully clothed body. Santin probably died elsewhere and was dumped near the on-ramp, Coffey said. He declined to elaborate.

The ramp was closed for several hours while detectives investigated.