Authorities Search For Driver In Fatal Hit-And-Run East County Crash

EL CAJON, CA — Authorities on Monday were continuing to search for the driver of a car that fatally struck a pedestrian and then drove away in San Diego's East County.

The hit-and-run crash happened around 11 a.m. Sept. 1 when an 81-year-old El Cajon resident was crossing the street in Rancho San Diego, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man was crossing west on Jamacha Road/state Route 54 on the north side of the intersection with Brabham Street, Officer Jared Grieshaber said. Meanwhile, a man driving westbound on Brabham Street and making a right turn onto northbound Jamacha Road/SR-54 failed to yield to the pedestrian and struck him with the vehicle.

The victim was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital where he later died, Grieshaber said.

The driver of the car that fled the scene was last seen driving northbound on Jamacha Road. Although it was previously believed the car was a Toyota Corolla, Grieshaber said Monday that investigators now believe the car was a mid-2000s Toyota Camry with faded gold paint.

The suspect was described as a bald Middle Eastern man, about 5-foot-5 and between 150-180 pounds, Grieshaber said.

"This is an ongoing investigation," Grieshaber said.

Witnesses were asked to contact the CHP's El Cajon office.