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