Dallas James, 27, suffers serious injuries in accident with suspected drunk driver on May 14 in Chico.

An Auburn man suffered two broken legs early Wednesday when he was struck by a vehicle while standing next to his pickup on Highway 99 in Chico.

The California Highway Patrol responded about 2:15 a.m. to a two-vehicle collision on southbound Highway 99 north of Skyway. The officer found a white Honda in the No. 2 lane, a man lying in the roadway just ahead of the vehicle and a Chevrolet pickup on the right shoulder. The man, identified as Dallas James, 27, of Auburn, had two broken legs according to a CHP news release.

James reportedly told the officer that he had stopped on the shoulder of the highway to adjust the load in the pickup and he was standing on the left side of the truck when he was hit by the Honda and thrown forward onto the roadway.

The driver of the Honda, who was not injured, was identified as Anthony Morales, 50, of Paradise. According to the CHP, Morales said he was going to exit Highway 99 at Skyway and had moved over to take the exit when he saw James standing next to the pickup. He said he tried to stop but was unable to do so before striking the rear of the pickup and James.

The CHP reported that Morales was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and causing a traffic accident that resulted in great bodily injury.