Pedestrian hit, killed on I-5 in the South Bay

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle on southbound Interstate 5 in the South Bay Thursday morning, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. in the area of Dairy Mart Road in San Ysidro.

According to California Highway Patrol, a female pedestrian was walking within traffic lanes near the Dairy Mart Road exit when she was struck by a white Ford Fusion. She was then struck again by an unknown vehicle who then fled the area.

The pedestrian suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene, CHP said. Her name is being withheld pending next of kin notification. No other injuries were reported.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing. All three lanes of southbound I-5 were temporarily closed in the impacted area for roughly three hours to facilitate this investigation on scene, as well as cleanup efforts. Those lanes have since reopened.

The driver of the Ford Fusion remained near the crash and cooperated with the investigation, CHP noted.

A toxicology report is pending through the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office to determine if drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.

Authorities are encouraging anyone who may have additional information about the crash or were witnesses to the incident to contact CHP San Diego Area at 858-293-6000.