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Laguna Beach Police Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect driver responsible for a hit and run traffic collision that killed a Costa Mesa man in Laguna Beach on Thursday.
On Thursday, August 11, at about 9:38 p.m., a 60-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman were hit by the driver of a light-colored Volkswagen sedan while crossing S. Coast Highway in the lit marked crosswalk at Pearl Street. When police arrived on the scene, they found the 60-year-old man with life-threatening injuries and the 60-year-old woman with moderate injuries, both residents of Costa Mesa. The investigation revealed the couple was married and had been in Laguna Beach celebrating their anniversary.
Laguna Beach Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene to render aid. Both the man and woman were rushed to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo for medical treatment. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to severe injuries and died at the hospital. The woman was evaluated for minor injuries and discharged from the hospital. The victim’s identity is being withheld at this time pending the notification of family and next of kin.
While the cause of the investigation is still under investigation, preliminary details indicated the man and woman were crossing S. Coast Highway at Pearl Street in the lit marked crosswalk when they were struck by the driver of a light-colored Volkswagen sedan. The driver failed to stop and fled the scene. The light-colored Volkswagen sedan (photo attached) will likely have front end damage based on evidence from the scene.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims of this tragedy and to their family during this difficult time,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert. “We encourage anyone who saw something or has information about the incident to please contact our detectives so the driver of the vehicle can be found and brought to justice.”
The case is being handled by the Major Crimes Unit of the Laguna Beach Police Department. Detectives are actively following up on several leads to identify the driver of the suspect vehicle. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective Joy Butterfield at (949) 497-0373 or by email at [email protected]
