Man killed while inspecting car on Hwy. 99

One man was killed and a second suffered major injuries Thursday evening when they were struck by a car while standing near a disabled vehicle on Highway 99 south of Belmont Avenue in Fresno.

The deadly incident happened about 6:30 p.m. when a tire blew out on the Chevrolet in which the two men were riding, the California Highway Patrol said. The unidentified victim, 22, and Cesar Padua, 40, both of Fresno, got out of the car — which was on the right shoulder — to inspect the tire on the left side of the Chevrolet.

As the men were standing next to the Chevrolet, Veronica Cervantes, 31, of Kerman was approaching in a Pontiac in the right lane. The CHP said Cervantes slowed and began to move into the center lane to avoid the men.

At the same time, a Honda driven by Laura Ramirez, 27, of Clovis was approaching the back of the Pontiac. The CHP said Ramirez saw the two men and also tried to shift into the center lane, but then noticed that the Pontiac had slowed. Ramirez tried to avoid the Pontiac and lost control of the Honda. Ramirez drove the Honda onto the right shoulder and back onto the highway. The right side of the Honda hit the back of the disabled Chevrolet and the front of the Honda struck the two men before colliding with the Pontiac driven by Cervantes.

The identity of the man who was killed was withheld pending notification of relatives. Cervantes suffered minor injuries, as did Mariah Marquez, 4, of Clovis who was riding in the Honda.

The Fresno Bee