Driver Killed After Leaving His Car

A 33-year-old Palmdale man was killed Tuesday after he got out of his car to speak with a motorist stopped behind him, whose vehicle was then sideswiped by a third car, authorities said.

Gerardo Prieto was stopped at a red light in the second eastbound lane of Pearblossom Highway at Sierra Highway about 9:15 a.m. when he left his car to talk with the motorist behind him, CHP Officer Richard Perez said.

But a third car hit the second car, which slammed into Prieto, Perez said. Prieto was pronounced dead at the scene, but the drivers of the other cars, who were wearing seat belts, were not injured.