By Associated Press - Monday, July 24, 2017

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Authorities say a patient who fled a Southern California hospital ran across a highway and was struck by a car and killed.

Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Wayne Rehnelt says his department received a call from Saddleback Regional Medical Center early Sunday reporting that a patient had run from the hospital.

Deputies were unable to find the man but a short time later he was spotted by motorists on nearby Interstate 5.



The California Highway Patrol says the man was struck in southbound lanes by a Volkswagen traveling around 70 mph. He died at the scene.

The Orange County Register reports Monday (https://bit.ly/2uZX2nj) that the driver was not arrested and the CHP is continuing its investigation.

The man’s identity has not been released.

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Information from: The Orange County Register, https://www.ocregister.com

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