Pedestrian dies after being hit by car as crossing Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe

A 32-year-old man was killed Saturday, December 10, 2016 after being struck by a car as he ran across Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe near the Town and Country Center.

At approximately 11:23 p.m., officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the vehicle versus pedestrian call.

The driver of the vehicle, San Jose resident Peng Shao, 33, was driving his Toyota Prius westbound in the slow lane of traffic and did not see the pedestrian who was crossing outside of a crosswalk area. SLTPD says Shao was driving about 35-40 mph and immediately stopped after hitting the victim. Neither Shao or his passenger were injured.

SLTPD and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue responded to the scene and the male pedestrian was transported to Barton Memorial Hospital where he died after undergoing surgery. The identity of the victim, who has ties to South Lake Tahoe and the State of Idaho, is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

The unidentified victim was walking northbound from the area of the Town and Country Center, just 100 yards from a marked crosswalk and traffic light at Lake Tahoe Blvd and Carson Avenue.

Police say there is no reason to believe drugs or alcohol played a role in collision on the part of the driver and Shao has been cooperating with the investigation. It is unknown at this time pending an autopsy if the pedestrian was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.

On November 6, 2016, a pedestrian crossing Highway 50 in the Stateline area died after being struck by a vehicle. The victim was not crossing in a crosswalk and it was dark in that accident as well.

This is in about the same area where a 51-year-old South Lake Tahoe man died as he crossed the highway on February 22, 2013 and was struck by a vehicle. In that case, the driver was arrested for a DUI causing death and driving on a suspended license.