Escondido, CA : Caltrans contract worker fatally struck by out-of-control SUV on San Diego freeway in North County on Monday, Sep 14, 2015

A 21-year-old Murrieta man who was working as a landscape contractor for Caltrans was struck and killed Monday afternoon by an SUV driven by a man suspected of being under the influence of drugs, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The victim and other workers had been fixing sprinklers along Interstate 15 just outside Escondido, CHP Officer Jim Bettencourt said.

The driver of a Mitsubishi Montero was heading south on Centre City Parkway, preparing to get onto southbound I-15 about 2 p.m. He veered to the left for an unknown reason and the SUV rolled down an embankment, landing on the northbound center divide. The SUV ended up on its roof.

The victim, who worked for Pacific Restoration Group of Perris, was killed instantly, Bettencourt said. His name was withheld pending notification of family.

"This is a stark reminder of the dangers of working along the highway," Caltrans District Director Laurie Berman said in a statement. "I am asking motorists to limit distractions and drive with care, especially when highway workers are present."

The 31-year-old driver, identified by the CHP as Reginald Grigsby of Oceanside, suffered minor injuries and was treated at Palomar Medical Center. He was later arrested and booked into Vista Jail on counts of felony DUI and felony vehicular manslaughter, Bettencourt said.

The collision remains under investigation.

Source:

Caltrans contractor killed in suspected DUI crash