Worker killed in Big Bear hit-and-run; 89-year-old driver arrested

A roadway worker was struck and killed along Big Bear Boulevard early Monday morning, and an 89-year-old driver was arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision brings a sharp reminder of the dangers faced by workers on mountain roads that Big Bear Valley residents travel daily.

The fatal hit-and-run occurred at approximately 7:10 a.m. on August 31, 2026, on Big Bear Boulevard just east of Greenway Drive — a busy stretch of the valley's main corridor^[1].

What witnesses reported

A colleague of the victim was on scene and reported to authorities that the worker was struck by a gray Toyota Tundra pickup truck, which then fled the scene heading east on Big Bear Boulevard, according to CHP logs^[1]. A detail from those logs underscores the severity of the impact: the fleeing truck appeared to have a traffic cone wedged beneath it as it sped away^[1].

The 89-year-old alleged driver was subsequently taken into custody^[1]. CHP has not publicly released the suspect's name, and formal charges, if any have been filed, have not yet been reported.

What we don't know yet

The victim has not been publicly identified, and no statement from the victim's family has been released. The contractor or agency employing the worker has also not been named in reports available at the time of publication. The suspect's defense attorney, if one has been retained, has not commented publicly. Those are the most significant gaps in what is known about this case so far.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating. Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw a gray Toyota Tundra in the area of Big Bear Boulevard near Greenway Drive around 7:10 a.m. on August 31 is encouraged to contact the CHP's Big Bear Area office.