Man Pushing Stalled Car on I-5 Is Hit
A San Diego man trying to push his car on Interstate 5 was seriously hurt Monday when he was hit by a car that rear-ended his stalled auto, pinning him against his own vehicle, the California Highway Patrol said.
Mikez Lorja, 23, was in serious condition at Mercy Hospital, a hospital spokesman said. Lorja suffered severe injuries and remained in surgery late Monday night, spokesman Michael Scahill said.
Lorja’s 1979 Fiat broke down in the slow lane of southbound I-5, south of Washington Street, about 4:15 p.m., officers reported. He got out of the car and his passenger, Lillian Zelina, 17, of San Diego, slid into the driver’s seat, officers said.
Just as Lorja began pushing the car from behind, a car driven by Linda Gonzalez, 45, of San Diego, hit the back of the Fiat, trapping Lorja, officers said.
Neither Zelina nor Gonzalez was hurt, officers said. No charges were filed against Gonzalez, officers said.
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