Pedestrian fatally struck in crosswalk

An unidentified man was killed Saturday night when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Henderson Avenue.

The Porterville Police Department reports a 59-year-old man was walking north in the crosswalk at Second Street when he was struck by a westbound vehicle. The incident occurred at 8:48 p.m. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of his family, and drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor, police stated.

Witnesses said a dark-colored Jeep traveling about 30 mph struck the man as he was crossing Henderson in front of the PortaVilla Market.

“I just heard a thump and he flew onto where the clothes are,” said Daniella Alcantar of Porterville, who called police. “I was going home in the closest lane to the curb. I had seen someone step on the crosswalk and stopped.”

Another witness reported that she performed CPR and the victim’s ribs had cracked. Police said the driver of the Jeep stopped and attempted to render aid.

The victim was transported to Sierra View District Hospital, where he later died.

The incident is the third accident involving a pedestrian in Porterville in the last 60 days, and the second fatality. On Oct. 10, Emaida Valencia, 55, of Porterville, was killed while crossing Olive Avenue at Dameron Street. A month earlier, on Sept. 22, a 59-year-old man was seriously injured while crossing West Olive in the 1100 block.

The PPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team Traffic Unit is investigating the incident and is requesting any witnesses contact them at 782-7400.

Neither the driver or the passenger in the Jeep was injured in Saturday’s incident.