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A 21-year-old Caltrans subcontractor was at work late Wednesday night on the San Bernardino (10) Freeway in Baldwin Park when he was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver.
Connor Penhall of Corona was operating a concrete saw on a closed section of the westbound 10 freeway when a suspected drunk driver took his Toyota Rav 4 into the coned-off area, according to City News Service.
Penhall was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim is the son of Bruce Penhall, a "well-known film and television actor and World Speedway champion," describes KTLA, who note that the Penhall family "owns Pehall Co., located in Anaheim, which does concrete cutting."
The driver, 37-year-old Tatsuhiko Sakamoto of Arcadia, initially attempted to the flee the scene. He had struck Penhall while going about 60 MPH, tossing the young man about 50 to 75 feet.
Police caught up with Sakamoto, and he was booked for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony DUI, and driving without a license, according to the California Highway Patrol. The driver did not have a California license, however he did have a Hawaii license, with a Hawaiian address.
Sakamoto was arrested after taking a Breathalyzer test.
Following an overnight investigation, all lanes of the 10 were re-opened at around 6:20 Thursday morning.
