Fatal accident in Westlake
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

An Agoura Hills man out for his regular morning walk was struck and killed by a Cadillac Escalade driven by a Westlake Village resident, according to Traffic Sgt. Philip Brooks of the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.

The accident occurred at 9:40 a.m. on Sun., June 3. Hua Zhang, 52, was walking north on Lindero Canyon Road about 200 feet north of Baronsgate Road when he was hit by the 2007 Escalade driven by John Stanford, 54. Zhang was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was unclear whether Zhang was walking in the bike lane or on the curb. From witness' input, it appeared that Zhang was on the curb, Brooks said. An investigation is underway to determine why Stanford drove his vehicle off the road and either into the bike lane or onto the curb.

There was no evidence of alcohol use, said Brooks, but police are looking into whether Stanford's alleged use of prescription drugs may have been involved.

"The driver did fairly poorly on the sobriety test," Brooks said. "We're waiting for the toxicology reports on the driver to decide if any charges will be made against him."

State law requires pedestrians to walk against oncoming traffic, which Zhang did not do, Brooks said.

"It makes sense so you can see what's coming at you," Brooks said.