2 pedestrians injured after being hit by vehicle in Somerton

Two pedestrians were hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Avenue B and County 20th Street early Friday morning, according to fire officials.

According to SCFD , firefighters found a 48-year-old man who was sitting on the shoulder west of Avenue B and County 20th Street. A 45-year-old woman was also found lying on the floor at the northbound lane of Avenue B.

Both individuals told authorities they pulled over in their Toyota Scion to talk and walked across Avenue B to the east side when an unknown vehicle pulled over, and they believed their car was about to be stolen. The pedestrians said they ran back across Avenue B and didn’t see a second vehicle approaching, officials said.

SCFD said it is unknown why the pedestrians parked their Toyota on Avenue B as well as why they crossed the street on foot.

As a result of the incident, both were struck by the van and left the man with a hematoma to his head, a possible dislocated shoulder, along with many cuts and bruises. The woman suffered injuries to her right eye, head, and a broken ankle.

The driver of the second vehicle, a white van driven by a man, pulled over and waited for officers to stop at the scene of the accident. The driver did not require medical attention but both pedestrians were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, officials said.

Somerton fire officials added the unknown vehicle that pulled up to their vehicle left the scene when the accident happened. It is unknown who and how many passengers were in it.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.