Pedestrian Killed on Highway

Update 12:28 p.m.: The road has been cleared from this morning's fatal accident. Sheriff's Deputy April Skalland has told Patch that the incident has not officially been ruled a suicide, and that is is "still under investigation."

Update 11:21 p.m.: Northbound traffic on Highway 1 is still flowing slowly from State Park Dr to 41st Avenue, but is no longer at a standstill following this morning's fatality. However, it is heavier from 41st Avenue to Morrissey, as it has been since highway construction started.

Original Report: Highway 1 traffic is at a halt Wednesday morning due to a fatal crash that occurred just before 8 a.m.

According to emergency radio traffic, a vehicle struck a pedestrian in the northbound lane just south of Park Avenue.

"A guy ran out from the bushes on the side of the highway and was hit," Central Fire Spokesman Mike DeMars told Patch.

One dispatcher said that a witness called the incident a "possible suicide attempt."

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports that according to witnesses, "the man jumped in front of a truck traveling in the righthand lane. Drivers were swerving around the body to avoid hitting it."

The victim was dead when emergency personnel arrived. The Central Fire crew was called off before they even got on scene because of the "obvious fatality," DeMars said.

CHP, Central Fire and the Sheriff's Office have yet to reveal the details of the incident, but the Sheriff's Office has confirmed the fatality.

Stay tuned to Patch as more information, including traffic updates, becomes available. You can also see our live traffic map to stay up-to-date.

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