A California man was killed after he ran into the road while trying to escape a group of attackers, including one person who allegedly struck him repeatedly in the head with a machete.
The deadly incident happened on June 14 in Westminster, California, according to local police.
Authorities said the man, whose name has not been publicly released, had just been attacked by several people before he tried to get away.
According to the Westminster Police Department, one of the attackers struck the victim in the head several times with a machete.
The man managed to run away from the group and appeared to try to flag down passing cars for help.
But moments later, he walked into the roadway near the 9200 block of Bolsa Avenue and was struck by two separate vehicles, police said.
Both drivers left the scene before officers arrived.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene by the Orange County Fire Authority.
Police have since arrested 25-year-old Keaton Jones and 56-year-old Qui Ly, both of Westminster, in connection with the machete attack. They were booked into the Orange County Jail on attempted murder charges.
Investigators said they also found the machete in one of the suspect’s possession.
Authorities have not yet released a motive or said whether the suspects knew the victim.
Police said the machete attack and the hit-and-run crashes are being investigated separately.
Investigators later identified one of the drivers involved in the hit-and-run after that person fled to Anaheim, about 15 miles northeast of Westminster. That driver’s name has not been released.
The second driver remains at large.
Police said that vehicle was described as a newer blue or black Toyota RAV4.
The Westminster Police Traffic Division is asking anyone with information about the incident or the vehicle to come forward.
Westminster is located in Orange County, about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles and just a few miles inland from coastal areas including Long Beach and Huntington Beach.
