Driver Fatally Backs Up On Man Helping Him Attach His Vehicle To Trailer

MARINA DEL REY (CBSLA.com) —  Authorities said a driver on Saturday accidentally backed his SUV up and killed a man who was trying to help him attach the vehicle to a trailer.

According to the CHP, the driver backed up at an unsafe speed and struck the 40-year-old victim around 3:20 p.m. Saturday.

The incident happened at Dock 77 at 13650 Mindanao Way, officials said.

The victim, whose name was withheld pending notification of his next of kin, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CHP.

The driver has been identified as 64-year-old Romulo Perez of Los Angeles.

Perez was backing up a 1999 Ford Expedition to a boat trailer as the victim, who was assisting, stood  to the rear. The SUV reversed at "unsafe speeds," according to a CHP release.

After hitting the man, the SUV continued going in reverse and also struck a Hyundai Genesis and a Dodge Charger.

Perez was not arrested, but the incident remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the crash was asked to call the CHP's investigating officer at (310) 642-3939 during regular business hours.

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