Man killed on freeway after surviving crash down embankment

WHITTIER, Calif. -- A man was killed early Friday on the northbound 605 Freeway in Whittier after surviving a crash down an embankment, and then being struck by a semi-truck after walking up onto the freeway, officials said.

The fatal collision prompted heavy traffic delays near Whittier Boulevard during the morning commute.

California Highway Patrol officials said the man was involved in a solo-vehicle crash, causing it to tumble down an embankment at about 5:20 a.m.

The man got out of his wrecked vehicle and began walking on the freeway. He was then struck by a semi-truck and pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. The victim's name was not released pending notification of kin.

Three freeway lanes were shut down for a time, prompting the CHP to declare a SigAlert, but were all reopened by 10 a.m., CHP Officer Tony Polizzi said. The Whittier Boulevard off-ramp was closed until 10:50 a.m.

City News Service contributed to this report.