Hit-and-run driver sought after collision that injured five people

This post was originally published on this site

Two vehicles collided at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street in Seal Beach. The driver of the vehicle that caused the collision fled on foot and was not immediately located. The driver and four passengers of the other vehicle sustained serious injuries.

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, at about 7:11 PM, the Huntington Beach Police Department transferred a call to the Seal Beach Police Department of a reckless driver travelling northbound on Pacific Coast Highway at a high rate of speed from the area of Warner Blvd. At about 7:13 PM, the Seal Beach Police Department received a call of a serious traffic collision that had just occurred at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered the vehicle had collided into another vehicle at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. The suspect’s vehicle came to rest against the bus bench in front of the Chase Bank at 801 Pacific Coast Highway. The suspect fled the scene on foot into “The Hill” residential neighborhood. “The Hill” is bordered on the south/west by Pacific Coast Highway, on the east by Seal Beach Boulevard, and on the north by Gum Grove Park.

Officers from Seal Beach Police Department and Huntington Beach Police Department conducted an extensive area search for the suspect which was met with negative results. The suspect is described as an unidentified male Hispanic, 18 to 20 years of age, approximately 5’10”, last seen wearing a maroon shirt.

The driver and four passengers from the second vehicle sustained serious injuries and were transported to local trauma centers by ambulance. Two of the passengers have been discharged. The three other passengers, all 17-year-old female juveniles from Orange County, remain in the hospital in serious but stable condition.

Members of the Serious Traffic Accident Response Team responded to investigate. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor in this collision. A Sigalert was issued for the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway at Main Street. All roadways were reopened by 4:28 a.m. on February 12, 2023.

The Seal Beach Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the suspect. This is an ongoing investigation, anyone with information is asked to contact Traffic Investigator Officer James Dowdell at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1627 or jdowdell@sealbeachca.gov.

The article above was released by the City of Seal Beach.