Man hospitalized after being hit by a hit-and-run vehicle while trying to help injured deer

Monterey, California – Authorities said a Good Samaritan who had stopped to rescue an injured deer on state Highway 68 in Monterey County was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

Officers responded to a call of an injured deer at Highway 68 and York Road at 8:57 p.m. Thursday, and discovered minutes later that a male motorist had gotten out of his car and attempted to cross the highway on foot to help the animal when he was struck by a vehicle going west.

The victim was taken to Natividad Medical Center to be treated for what police called “significant” injuries and an update on his condition was not immediately available.

The driver of the vehicle that struck him did not stop and fled west. Witnesses described the vehicle as an early 2000s import sedan with possible front-end damage.

Investigators have not found the suspect or vehicle. Any witnesses, or business owners and residents with surveillance cameras in the area, are asked to contact Monterey police if they have any information. People can call Detective Detective Kim Zook at (831) 646-3810 or can call a tip line at (831) 646-3840.