Suspected tagger critically injured by hit-run driver on SR-55 in Orange

ORANGE, Calif. (KABC) -- A 21-year-old man suspected of vandalizing a freeway center divider was struck and critically injured by a hit-and-run driver in Orange early Sunday morning.

California Highway Patrol officers headed to the southbound State Route 55, just south of Chapman Avenue, on reports of two men tagging the divider.

While units were on the way, a gold 2005 Toyota traveling southbound in the area struck a pedestrian running west across the highway lanes. The driver of the car then fled the scene.

CHP officers arrived on the scene and found the suspected tagger had sustained injuries to his right leg and head. The other man he was with had dragged him off the freeway after the crash.

The victim was taken to a trauma center at Orange County Global Hospital in Santa Ana.