MEO identifies man struck and killed near Valley Center High School

VALLEY CENTER (KUSI) – San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office released the name of the Escondido man who was struck and killed by a pickup truck near Valley Center High School.

Luis Enrique Hernandez, 27, was hit about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, when the landscaper walked onto Cole Grade Road near Margarita Lane, crossing directly into the path of the southbound 2004 GMC Sierra, according to the California Highway Patrol. Hernandez was reportedly walking backwards in the lane when he was struck by the truck.   

The vehicle hit the tree trimmer at about 35 mph, CHP public information Officer Jim Bettencourt said. Despite resuscitative efforts by paramedics, Hernandez died at the scene.   

Intoxication did not appear to be a factor in the accident, according to Bettencourt.