Coroner ID’s body found along Highway 86

Police were investigating an apparent hit-and-run collision after a body was discovered along the northbound lanes of Highway 86 near the Salton Sea late Sunday night.

The Riverside County Coroners Office said Monday, Brandon Cooper, 30, of Desert Hot Springs died at 11:29 p.m. Sunday near the Otan Ditch.

A CALFIRE statement said Cooper died at the scene from injuries he suffered in a solo vehicle traffic collision.

The California Highway Patrol released a statement saying an unknown vehicle struck the man as he walked along the roadway’s right shoulder, at an unknown time.

That first driver reportedly never stopped and has not been located.

A second Cathedral City woman, driving a 2005 Ford Mustang, also struck Cooper as he was lying down in the right lane of Highway 86 at approximately 11:15 p.m.

Cooper’s body was discovered along the northbound Highway lanes near 84th Avenue.

Police shut down the northbound highway’s slow lane during the investigation.

The discovery was near the Riverside County line, bordering both San Diego and Imperial counties.