It was a routine walk to the bus stop for the 60-year-old victim, who has not yet been identified. He was almost finished crossing the street at the intersection of Northpark Boulevard and H Street when a vehicle slammed into him.
"According to witnesses, they say that he actually put his hand out in an effort to push off of the vehicle or push away from the vehicle. He saw the vehicle coming, and he actually had kind of started to trot a little bit," said Sgt. Rich Lawhead of the San Bernardino Police Department.
The intersection is next to a local elementary school and a block from the high school. Neighbors say drivers have been known to speed down the roadway.
"There is a high volume of traffic here usually in the morning," said neighbor Ron Davis. "People tend to driver through the intersection faster than they probably should."
But investigators don't believe speed was a factor in the crash. Instead, it may have been a combination of morning dew and sun glare.
"One our our biggest complaints here is the sun early in the morning for eastbound traffic. It's kind of blinding," Lawhead said.
Still, the driver will face charges for not stopping to render aid to his dying victim. Police believe the suspect may live in the area. They are looking for a sedan or SUV with front-end damage.
The victim's daughter said her father was about to retire as a county investigator for the San Bernardino Court.
Anyone with information is urged to call the San Bernardino Police Department at (909) 384-5742.