The man found dead early Tuesday on the center divider of the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks may be the victim of a hit and run, police said.
A passerby reported seeing the body about 7:17 a.m. on the freeway near Rancho Road, said California Highway Patrol Officer Marco Marin.
A California Highway Patrol Moorpark tweet from @CHPMoorpark at 9:48 a.m., said the body found on the northbound 101 was that of a 67-year-old male Hispanic.
Marin said investigators were trying to determine if the man was struck and killed by vehicles on the freeway, and if suicide is a factor.
“We’re leaning toward fatal hit and run or felony hit and run,” Marin said. “But we need to talk to the person’s family members and rule out possible suicide or other circumstances.”
Officers responded to the initial call and confirmed that what the passerby saw was a body, and they subsequently closed the fast lane around 7:20 a.m., Marin added.
While initial reports indicated that the body was wrapped in a blanket, the CHP’s Marin said it was unclear what was found in the blanket despite initial reports of it being the body.
“I don’t know if that’s how the individual was found, or that’s something the caller saw and fabricated,” Marin explained.
The No. 1 lane was reopened about 12:30 p.m., Marin said. Officers continue to investigate what may have led to the dead man being brought to the area.
Marin did not know if the victim had any kind of gunshot wounds or stab wounds.
The coroner’s office will identify the man, Marin said.
If anyone has any information about the case, they should contact the Moorpark CHP at 805-553-0800.
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