A California man died this week after someone allegedly threw a large boulder from a freeway overpass, crashing into his vehicle.

KTLA-5 reports that Christopher Lopez, 23, was riding in a car with his wife, her mother, and the couple’s four-year-old daughter on the 134 Freeway in Pasadena when a 30- to 35-pound boulder came crashing through the windshield on the passenger side, where Lopez was sitting.

The women and the girl in the car were reportedly unharmed, but Lopez was mortally injured. His wife immediately drove him to the nearest hospital, but lifesaving attempts were unsuccessful.

California Highway Patrol officials said in a news conference that they believe someone purposefully threw the boulder over the overpass, likely with the intent to harm.

“This was an intentional act,” CHP Lt. Chuck Geletko said. “Any prudent person would know that a boulder that size would seriously harm someone driving on the freeway below.”

Authorities are actively seeking a suspect, and are asking for the public’s help in tracking down the person or people responsible.

“This was an innocent family, driving home,” Geletko said. “We need help from the public to find the person who committed this atrocious act and prevent this from happening to another family.”

Lopez’s widow Guadalupe Gutierrez, who recently discovered she was pregnant, appealed to the public to come forward if they may have seen anything that would help police narrow in on a suspect.

“We’re asking for your help. If anybody saw anything, please help us find whoever did this to him. He didn’t deserve this. My daughter didn’t deserve this.”

Anyone who was in the area of Orange Grove and 134 on Tuesday night around the time of the incident and saw anything unusual or suspicious is urged to call CHP’s Altadena Station at 626-296-8100 or 323-259-3200 after business hours.

[Feature image: Guadalupe Gutierrez/Facebook]