An elderly woman was struck and killed by a suspected DUI driver in Huntington Beach on Saturday evening, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.
The victim has been identified as 85-year-old Caryl Margulies, who had been reported missing.
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) officers responded to a traffic collision involving a white Toyota RAV4 and a pedestrian near Brookhurst Street and Crailet Drive.
The pedestrian, later confirmed to be Margulies, was found unconscious in the roadway and transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
The driver, a 62-year-old man from Costa Mesa, remained on scene and was uninjured. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Preliminary investigation indicates the RAV4 was traveling northbound on Brookhurst Street when it struck Margulies south of Crailet Drive. It is unknown whether impairment was a factor for the pedestrian.
The incident remains under investigation by HBPD’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). Anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant information is asked to contact HBPD Traffic Investigator C. Houlston at (714) 536-5559.
Here’s a summary of the potential penalties the suspect may face in the Huntington Beach DUI fatality case:
If convicted, the driver could face:
- Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated (Ordinary Negligence)
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 4 years in prison
- Fines and license suspension
- Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated (Gross Negligence)
- Felony only: 4 to 10 years in prison
- Higher fines and longer license revocation
- DUI Murder (Watson Murder)
- If the driver had a prior DUI and was warned of the risks
- Felony: 15 years to life in prison
- Other Consequences
- Restitution to the victim’s family
- Possible civil lawsuit for wrongful death
- Permanent criminal record
- Mandatory license suspension
The exact charges will depend on the investigation’s findings, including the driver’s blood alcohol level, driving behavior, and any prior DUI history.