Sixteen-month-old toddler struck and killed by Ford F-150 truck while walking in the road in Oceanside, California

A 16-month-old boy who was walking on a Southern California road was struck and killed by the driver of a pickup truck late Tuesday afternoon.

The saddening incident occurred in the 3200 block of San Tomas Drive of Oceanside around 3.40pm when police received a call about a collision involving a toddler. 

The driver, an unidentified 62-year-old man, was driving home from work and lives in the area, according to Oceanside Police Department spokesperson Jennifer Atenza. 

It's unclear what the child was doing on the road or if family members were nearby. 

A 16-month-old boy who was walking on a Southern California roadway was struck and killed by the driver of a pickup truck late Tuesday afternoon

The saddening incident occurred in the 3200 block of San Tomas Drive in Oceanside around 3.40pm when police received a call about a collision involving a toddler

According to police, the driver was traveling west on San Tomas Drive in his white pickup truck when he collided with the toddler. 

Police were dispatched to the scene immediately and first responders attempted to provide the boy with life-saving measures. 

The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The driver - who has not been identified at this time - lives in the neighborhood and stayed at the scene following the crash. 

The toddler, also unidentified, lived in a home on the street with his parents and grandparents, neighbors said. 

Locals who spoke with the media said the grandfather of the toddler could be seen visibly distraught after the collision. 

Authorities said in a release that they do not believe drugs or alcohol to be a factor in the crash. Excessive speed is also not believed to have been involved. 

Police were at the scene for several hours Tuesday evening, investigating the incident 

This is the street where the toddler was struck and killed Tuesday afternoon 

Police were dispatched to the scene immediately and first responders attempted to provide the boy with life-saving care. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene 

San Diego residents weighed in on the tragic news on social media, expressing their condolences to the family and calling for answers. 

'R.I.P. Little one. You are gone far too soon,' one person shared on Facebook. 

'So sad, my condolences to the family,' shared another resident. 

'How was a 16-month-old able to get so far away from adults?' another asked.

The matter remains under investigation by Oceanside Police at this time. 

In May, a three-year-old San Diego boy was tragically struck and killed in an area parking lot while he was walking into his birthday party. 

Josiah Toleafoa was hit by a driver on May 27 as he and his family were in the shopping area where locals say drivers often ignore traffic laws.

The family was heading into the Play City indoor amusement park to celebrate. 

One witness who spoke with NBC4 said the boy's mother sobbed hysterically as police and paramedics worked to save her child. 

'It's heartbreaking, I have a kid myself, I have two kids and so I feel for those parents. and it's all the time,' said Theresa Arrocha, a local mom.