CULVER CITY, Calif. — Authorities have identified the man who was fatally struck by a vehicle early Friday morning on the transition road from the southbound San Diego (405) Freeway to the westbound Marina (90) Freeway. The victim, 41-year-old Santos Martinez, died at the scene after suffering blunt force injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. His place of residence has not been released.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the incident occurred around 4:25 a.m., when a pedestrian — later identified as Martinez — was struck by an Infiniti sedan. Emergency crews from the Culver City Fire Department arrived shortly after and pronounced Martinez dead at 4:42 a.m. The circumstances leading to Martinez being on the freeway remain under investigation.
Following the collision, the transition road was closed to traffic for several hours as investigators examined the scene. A SigAlert was issued shortly after the incident and was lifted at approximately 7:12 a.m., once authorities completed their preliminary investigation. No further details about the driver of the Infiniti or any possible charges have been released at this time.
Tragically, this was the second pedestrian death in the same area within one week. Just days earlier, Chandler Jones, a 33-year-old former football player who once played in both the NFL and CFL, was also hit and killed near the western end of the 90 Freeway around 2 a.m. on Sunday. Jones, known for his high school football days at Bishop Montgomery in Torrance, should not be confused with the current NFL player of the same name.
The back-to-back pedestrian fatalities have raised concerns about safety conditions along the short stretch of the 90 Freeway near Marina del Rey. Whether poor visibility, road design, or other contributing factors played a role in these incidents is still being reviewed by authorities. Officials have yet to announce if any changes or safety measures will be introduced.
The California Highway Patrol is asking anyone with information about Friday’s crash to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. As the community mourns another life lost, questions remain about how to prevent further tragedies on one of the area’s most dangerous freeway segments.
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