Officials in Arizona have reported that a man was fatally hit by a vehicle while attempting to retrieve a ladder on a freeway.
German Perez Ortiz Jr., aged 79, was tragically killed in the early afternoon on Thursday, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The collision occurred in the southbound lanes of the Loop 303 near Peoria Avenue around 1 p.m.
According to troopers from the department, it appears that Ortiz was trying to retrieve a ladder on the freeway when he was struck.
According to officials, he passed away at the scene.
The southbound lanes of the highway were temporarily closed during the initial investigation, but were reopened around 4 p.m.