Luis Eduardo Distancia identified as a suspect in a fatal Santa Ana hit and run collision

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Traffic Investigation Asking For Media And Public Assistance Locating A Suspect Wanted In A Fatal Hit & Run Collision

Subject: Luis Eduardo Distancia (45), Male, Hispanic, 5-10, 160 lbs., Brown, Brown, Warrant – $50,000.00

Suspect Vehicle: White, 2006, Ford, Econoline van, (IN CUSTODY)

UPDATE – New Photo of the Suspect Released:

Synopsis: On 03/17/17 @ 4:47 p.m., officers responded to a vehicle vs. motorcycle collision at Standard Av. and Walnut St. Upon arrival, the officers located the victim lying in southbound lanes of Standard Av. with life threatening injuries. The motorcyclist later died of the injuries sustained in the collision.

Video surveillance of the collision showed the above listed vehicle traveling north on Standard Av. then west on Walnut St. in front of the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist collided with the front right fender of the van. The driver of the van fled from the scene without identifying himself, but was followed by a witness. The witness provided a license plate for the van and the van is owned and operated by Luis Eduardo Distancia.

The van was recovered on 03/18/17; however, Distancia has failed to contact the police.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Luis Eduardo Distancia is asked to contact SAPD Traffic Division: Inv. W. Hadley at (714) 245-8214, Email: whadley@santa-ana.org, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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