Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013

Police consider alcohol in case of pedestrian walking against traffic

A Los Banos man, who police believe was intoxicated, was struck by a car while walking against traffic on a local highway Saturday.

The 28-year-old man, whose name is being withheld by authorities, is in critical condition at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.

According to Sgt. Chet Stygar, police responded to the 400 block of North Mercey Springs Road after receiving a report shortly after 10:30 p.m.

Through the investigation, police determined the man was walking southbound in the northbound lane of Mercey Springs Road when he was hit by a vehicle that was northbound.

The vehicle was driven by a 19-year-old Los Banos woman. Police do not suspect alcohol or drugs were a factor on the part of the female motorist, but may have been the reason why the man was on the highway.

"The pedestrian had visible head injuries, which ultimately caused him to be medi-flighted to Memorial Hospital, Modesto, where he remains in critical condition. At this time we believe the pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol," Stygar said.