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The victim of a fatal motorist-versus-pedestrian collision in Tustin yesterday has been identified as 74-year-old Berna Martinez, according to the OC Register. Martinez was struck as she crossed Red Hill Avenue at the bottom of the exit ramp from the northbound I-5 Freeway. Her body was dragged for several blocks underneath the vehicle until it came loose and to rest at a center divider on Newport Avenue. The driver, a 79-year-old Aliso Viejo woman, continued on for another mile until someone flagged her down to let her know what had happened.
"The driver apparently was unaware she had hit a pedestrian or that she had been dragging a body under her car," reports LA Now. The motorist was questioned, but has not been arrested. Martinez was pronounced dead on the scene.
Authorities are investigating the fatal accident, and have ruled out drugs and alcohol as contributing factors. However, they are working to determine if heavy rainfall played a part.
