On December 21, around 9:45 p.m., a man around 30 years old was walking across the intersection of Irvine Center Drive and Spectrum when he was hit by a vehicle, according to the Irvine Police Department.
The driver fled the scene, and the man suffered serious injuries.
A witness described the suspect’s vehicle as a dark gray or purple Ford, possibly a Fusion or a similar model. Evidence at the scene suggests the vehicle is a 2017 or 2018 model. The vehicle, which should have front-end damage, was last seen driving toward the 405 freeway.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gallegos at 949-724-7024.
In California, a hit-and-run involving serious injury is governed by Vehicle Code Section 20001 VC. This offense is a “wobbler,” meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and the driver’s criminal history.
Based on current 2025 legal standards, the suspect faces the following potential penalties:
Criminal Penalties
- Felony Charge: If convicted of a felony for an accident resulting in serious or permanent injury, the suspect faces:
- Imprisonment: 2, 3, or 4 years in California state prison.
- Fines: Between $1,000 and $10,000.
- Misdemeanor Charge: If charged as a misdemeanor despite the serious nature of the injury, the suspect faces:
- Imprisonment: A mandatory minimum of 90 days and up to 1 year in county jail.
- Fines: Between $1,000 and $10,000.
Additional Consequences
- Restitution: The suspect will likely be ordered to pay victim restitution to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
- DMV Points: A conviction adds two points to the driver’s record, which can lead to a license suspension.
- License Revocation: The DMV may revoke the suspect’s driving privilege entirely for a hit-and-run involving injury.
- Enhanced Sentencing: If evidence later shows the driver was also intoxicated or acting with gross negligence, they could face additional charges like vehicular manslaughter, which adds up to 5 consecutive years in prison.
Note: As of 2025, there has been legislative discussion (such as AB 1281) to increase the maximum prison sentence for hit-and-run accidents resulting in permanent, serious injury to 15 years, though current standard sentencing remains up to 4 years.