Youth Struck, Killed by Car on Freeway
A 17-year-old youth was killed when he stepped in front of a car on the Santa Ana Freeway for unknown reasons Sunday night, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Robert Antonio Portillo, 17, of Buena Park died shortly after the 7:20 p.m. accident north of the La Palma Avenue bridge, CHP Officer Joan Rivas said.
The driver, also 17 and a resident of La Mirada, said he was northbound on the freeway when Portillo walked from the right shoulder into his path, Rivas said.
The driver, who was not identified, was not able to stop in time, Rivas said. Portillo, thrown 25 feet, landed on the freeway.
He was taken to Martin Luther Hospital in Anaheim, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.
The driver was not hurt. An investigation of the accident is continuing, but officers do not believe that alcohol or drugs were involved, Rivas said.
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