Elderly man hit, killed by object on Hwy 101 in Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) -- An elderly man in his early 80s, who lived in Mountain View, was struck in the neck and killed by a possible projectile. CHP officers believe it may have been a large brass bolt that was about the size of a softball, but their investigation is still on-going.

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CHP officers say the bolt may have fallen off a vehicle, or been kicked up from the road.

The object hit the driver, who was driving northbound on U.S. Highway 101 in Palo Alto Friday afternoon.

Witnesses said the man, who appears to be in his early 80s, was struck by the item when it smashed through his windshield near Willow Road at about 1 p.m., said CHP Officer Art Montiel.

Drivers stopped to assist the man, but the driver died at the scene.

After being struck, the driver collided with the center divide, eventually coming to a stop. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.