A carjacking suspect in San Diego died after the driver of the truck he attempted to seize fought back, authorities reported. Mark Douglas Heninger, 56, was allegedly attempting to carjack a moving Freightliner tree-trimming truck early Saturday morning when he jumped onto the driver-side running board while brandishing a knife.
A physical altercation ensued, during which Heninger fell from the truck and landed on the roadway, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office stated. The truck driver immediately called 911 and remained at the scene. Paramedics found Heninger on the road with severe head trauma and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
The driver sustained minor injuries and declined medical attention. Homicide detectives are investigating the incident. Initial findings suggest alcohol or drugs were not a factor for the driver, and the incident appears to be isolated with no known threat to the community.
Court records indicate a man with Heninger's name and age has a criminal history dating back to 1996. The Medical Examiner's Office will determine Heninger's official cause and manner of death. Investigators are seeking information from the public regarding the incident.