Hitchhiker Killed by Van Containing Sister
A Canyon Country boy died early Thursday, several hours after being struck by a van driven by his sister’s boyfriend, the California Highway Patrol said.
Joseph E. Zuber, 13, was struck while hitchhiking along a road near his home and died about 3 a.m. Thursday at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, CHP Officer Don North said.
North said Zuber was hit in the southbound lane of Sand Canyon Road south of Live Oak Springs Canyon Road Wednesday night by a van traveling 40 to 50 m.p.h. The vehicle was driven by Jeffrey Thomas, 19, of Granada Hills, North said.
Thomas and Zuber’s 16-year-old sister were apparently returning from a date when Zuber jumped in front of them in an effort to get a ride, North said.
“He had used that tactic before to try to get rides and had even been injured before doing it,” North said. “There was no way the van could avoid him. It just happened so fast.”
North said Zuber was difficult to see because lighting was poor and he was wearing dark clothing.
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