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Norwalk Family Looks For Answers After Teen Found Dead On Side Of Freeway

NORWALK (CBSLA.com) —A family is searching for answers after a 17-year-old boy was found dead on a freeway in Norwalk.

George Mckenna, who loves sports, was home Thursday night watching the NBA Finals.

Then, just before midnight, he was discovered with severe injuries by a passerby on the southbound 605 Freeway on-ramp at Rosecrans Boulevard.

Mckenna was transported to the hospital, where he later died.

"The officer said someone had struck him with a vehicle, and he had massive head injuries, and it was a hit-and-run. They left him there on the side of the road," said Mckenna's uncle, Ed Rodriguez.

The family, however, doesn't know if it was a hit-and-run or if Mckenna may have been in a vehicle.

"He might have jumped out for a reason unknown or thrown out," said the victim's uncle, Martin Ortega.

"To get from the house to the freeway is kind of far. I don't think he'd walk over there. Somebody had to pick him up," said Christina Mckenna, the teen's grandmother.

Police also questioned whether it could be a case of suicide.

CBS2's Amy Johnson reported that just nine months ago, Mckenna's older brother, Vincent, died of an aneurysm. His mother died in a motorcycle accident in 2005.

"He went through (hard) times in his life, but I believe his happiest times were right now because he looked happy," said Christina.

Christina said Mckenna took a phone call just minutes before his death, but she doesn't know much more than that.

There were no witnesses or cameras in the area at the time of the incident.

"I'm devastated. Devastated. I can't believe this happened. I need answers," said Christina.

The investigation is ongoing.

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