The accident happened Monday morning along Highway 99 near the Merritt exit north of Traver.
The CHP says the 45-year-old Visalia man was driving a car that was reported stolen and filled with eight people, when it ran into mechanical problems.
Investigators say he tried to pull off to the side of the road and when he got out, he was hit by a passing truck. The impact killed the man and damaged part of the car.
CHP said they found the truck at Kamm and Highway 99 north of Kingsburg. The big rig belonged to CD Matthes, a company located at American and HWY 99. The vehicle was taken in for evidence. Authorities say the driver was interviewed but was not arrested.
Investigators said the car involved was reported stolen out of Hanford on January 13th. They said the car was carrying three adults and six children at the time of the incident. The CHP said a 35-year-old woman who was in the car was the mother of all the children. The children ranged in age from 5 to 14. The mother was not arrested.
The CHP said the driver of the car was the mother's boyfriend and the other adult passenger was the driver's friend.
Investigators said the car had run out of gas in Fresno. They put more gas in the car, and continued south. The CHP is unsure why the car stopped a second time.
