Man, 72, Walking on Freeway Killed

A 72-year-old man who parked along the Golden State Freeway early Friday and then tried to cross the road on foot was struck and killed by a pickup truck, authorities said.

The man’s name was not released, pending notification of relatives. The incident occurred about 3:15 a.m. near the Templin Highway exit, north of Castaic, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Karen Faciane.

The man was walking west, toward the center divider, when he was struck by a Ford truck traveling north.

“The driver didn’t see the man,” Faciane said. “He thought he had hit a deer.”

“We don’t know why the man pulled over on the right shoulder and parked,” Faciane said, “or why he tried to walk across the freeway.”

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The northbound lanes of the freeway were closed for about three hours while CHP officers investigated.