By Mary O’KEEFE

A call came into the California Highway Patrol at 3:12 p.m. on Thursday concerning a pedestrian struck by a vehicle who was lying in the lane of traffic, according to CHP Officer Ramirez.

According to Sgt. Thomas Brooks, a tan Mercury sedan had gone through the car wash unmanned and came to the end of the wash. A car wash employee got into the vehicle; however, unfortunately the car mat had gotten wedged affecting the accelerator, which caused the car to speed forward striking another vehicle and hitting another employee. The victim was thrown about 25 feet out into the lane of traffic. The victim was transported to Huntington Hospital where he later died.

A woman who was sitting at the car wash waiting area said as the Mercury sedan came to the end of the car wash, she witnessed it  “jerk” forward and then suddenly come out of the carwash. She saw it hit the back of a parked Mercedes, then hit the employee.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact Sgt. Brooks at (818) 248-3464.