Santa Ana, Californiaย โ A fatal pedestrian accident occurred Wednesday morning on northbound State Route 57 near Yorba Linda Boulevard, resulting in the death of a woman who had exited her vehicle on the side of the highway, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The incident was reported at approximately 11:03 AM, when the woman โ identified in dispatch logs as โXRAYโ โ was walking along the slow lanes of the freeway. Preliminary information suggests she had exited her vehicle, possibly due to a tire-related issue, when she was struck by a gray semi truck. Additional vehicles, including a black Toyota Corolla or similar sedan, may have also been involved in the incident.
Emergency crews arrived quickly, and initial reports indicated that the woman briefly had a pulse and was breathing. Despite resuscitative efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene shortly thereafter. The Orange County Coronerโs Office was notified, and CHP initiated a full investigation into the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
The crash triggered a SigAlert, shutting down four out of five lanes of northbound SR-57 for several hours while investigators processed the scene and cleanup teams cleared debris. The highway was fully reopened by 2:00 PM.
Witness accounts suggest the woman may have inadvertently stepped into live traffic while addressing her disabled vehicle, but CHP has not confirmed this detail as the investigation remains active.
This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of exiting a vehicle on a high-speed roadway. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and friends as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.
