Authorities searching for driver involved in hit-and-run in Oceanside

OCEANSIDE (KUSI) – Authorities were asking the public for help Wednesday in identifying a driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a pedestrian near Guajome County Regional Park.

According to police, the 40-year-old victim was lying next to the north side of the I-76 between North Santa Fe Avenue and College Boulevard in Oceanside just after 10: 30 p.m. on Sept. 17.

Medics took the man to a hospital, where he was treated for serious brain trauma, more than two dozen broken bones and other injuries, Lt. Leonard Cosby said. The victim’s right leg was so badly damaged it had to be amputated.

"So far, the (victim) has survived his injuries, but he will have lifelong medical problems,” Cosby said.

Detectives have determined that the victim was walking on the shoulder of the highway when a vehicle of unknown make and model swerved out of a westbound lane and hit him, the lieutenant said.

Police asked anyone with information about the case to call traffic investigator Yanci Blackwell at (760) 435-4801.