CHP: Officer tried to avoid Visalia man hit by patrol car

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The California Highway Patrol said the conditions were dark and rainy when 27-year-old Rodrigo Cabral was hit by the cruiser around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.

A witness reported the victim had been arguing with two men near the sidewalk, and that during the fight he somehow ended up on the ground. Investigators said Cabral then got up from the ground, and for an unknown reason, ran into the street in front of the patrol car which was responding to a call about a disturbance.

CHP investigators said the officer braked and swerved to avoid hitting the pedestrian, but it was too late. Cabral died later at the hospital.