LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities have identified the pedestrian who died after being struck by a vehicle on Tuesday night.

Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Peter Erich Gruendig, 58, of Nice.

The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office, which is conducting the investigation into the crash, said that at approximately 8:34 p.m. Tuesday, 85-year-old Robert Baireuther of Lucerne was driving his 1975 Chevrolet eastbound on Highway 20, just east of Hudson Avenue, at approximately 35 miles per hour.

The report said Gruendig was walking on the south shoulder of Highway 20 at the same location.

For reasons the CHP said are still under investigation, Gruendig began crossing the highway, walking northbound into the eastbound lane of traffic, directly in front of Baireuther's Chevrolet.

The CHP said Baireuther's Chevrolet hit Gruendig. After the collision, Baireuther immediately pulled to the right shoulder and had a passing motorist call 911.

Radio traffic on Tuesday night indicated that the 911 caller reported that Gruendig was not breathing at that point.

When Northshore Fire firefighters arrived, they pronounced Gruendig deceased, the CHP said.

The CHP said Baireuther, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured in the crash.

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