Death is never far from a hospital, but in the case of James Donaldson, 63, of Oceanside, death came at a Palomar Medical Center parking area.
Donaldson died as a friend pushed him in his wheelchair across the emergency room’s parking area’s front entrance street at 2185 Citracado Parkway, just before 6 p.m. Saturday, according to Escondido police.
An 89-year-old man, later identified as John Marin of San Marcos, in a white 2000 Toyota Tacoma truck suddenly sped his vehicle forward striking Donaldson and his friend, according to Escondido police Lt. Mike Kearney.
Donaldson and his 67-year-old friend, Elena Cendejas, also of Oceanside, were just outside the medical center’s front doors when struck. Hospital staff immediately rushed to their aid. Donaldson died of his injuries while Cendejas was hospitalized in stable condition.
Marin, the driver, was examined at the scene and found uninjured, police said.
Escondido police were asking anyone with information about the crash to contact Officer Russ Gay at (760) 839-4470.
it did not happen outside the main entrance. It happened outside of the ER.
Thanks, the police information was ambiguous.