By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

LAKE PLACID -- A Lake Placid man was struck and fatally injured Sunday while attempting to cross U.S. 27.

Daniel Lopez Morales, 58, was struck by a van being driven by Mario Varguas-Ochoa, 61, at 7:40 p.m. Sunday.

Both men are listed as Lake Placid residents.

According to Lake Placid Chief of Police Phil Williams, the preliminary investigation report indicated that Morales attempted to cross U.S. 27 just north of Aaron Drive, walking east across the busy highway.

Varguas-Ochoa was driving north on U.S 27 in the inside lane when the victim allegedly ran in front of his van.

Highlands County EMS was dispatched, but Morales was deceased when they arrived on the scene.

According to Williams, the accident is still under investigation, and anyone who witnessed it is being asked to contact the LPPD at 699-3757.