A man was hit by a green pickup truck Tuesday night on the Ensenada to Ojos Negros highway near Colonia Libertad, a neighborhood on the eastern outskirts of Ensenada. The accident occurred around 8:00 p.m. when the vehicle struck the pedestrian and threw him onto the pavement.
Witnesses called 911 immediately after the collision. No police units arrived for nearly 20 minutes, according to the report. A fire department ambulance eventually responded and transported the victim to a local hospital. His condition and identity have not been disclosed.
Delayed Emergency Response Raises Concerns
The roughly 20-minute wait for first responders is notable but not unusual for this stretch of road. The Ensenada to Ojos Negros highway (also known as the road to Valle de la Trinidad) runs east from Ensenada through sparsely developed areas with limited street lighting. Colonia Libertad sits just a few kilometers from central Ensenada, but the road quickly transitions from urban to semi-rural as it climbs toward the Sierra de Juárez.
The identity of the truck driver has not been released. It is unclear whether the driver remained at the scene or fled, and authorities have not announced any charges.
A Road With a Dangerous History
The Ensenada to Ojos Negros highway has seen multiple serious accidents in recent years. In October 2022, a U.S. child was killed near kilometer 13 on the same road when a trophy truck participating in the NORRA 500 Rally collided with a Dodge RAM pickup. In October 2025, a pickup truck rollover was reported on the same route heading toward Ojos Negros.
The two-lane highway carries a mix of commercial trucks, passenger vehicles, and off-road racing traffic during event season. Pedestrians walking along the shoulder face particular risk after dark because long stretches lack overhead lighting, painted lane markings, or paved shoulders. Drivers heading to the Ojos Negros valley, the observatory at San Pedro Mártir, or the grape-growing areas around Valle de la Trinidad all use this road.
This story was first reported by Ensenada.net.