Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle in crosswalk at U.S. 101 on-ramp in Atascadero
Deceased identified as Rachel Hoffman of Atascadero
– California Highway Patrol officers responded at approximately 10:20 a.m. on Dec. 1 to a traffic crash involving a pedestrian on the southbound on-ramp to U.S. 101 from San Anselmo Road in Atascadero.
According to the agency, a 66-year-old Atascadero man, identified as Gary Tipton, was driving a 2017 Ford F-150 pickup westbound on San Anselmo Road as he approached the on-ramp. At the same time, a 69-year-old Atascadero woman, identified as Rachel Hoffman, was walking eastbound on San Anselmo Road and was crossing the on-ramp to southbound U.S. 101 within the crosswalk, according to CHP.
Tipton made a left turn in an attempt to enter the freeway and collided with Hoffman. Officers attempted life-saving measures, but Hoffman was pronounced dead at the scene. No other occupants were in the pickup at the time of the crash.
Alcohol or drugs were not suspected to be factors. The crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol Templeton Area office.
