The C.M. Police are looking for a suspect who fled from a fatal hit and run involving a man in a wheelchair

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2022) —The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is seeking the public’s help in locating the suspect who fled a fatal hit and run traffic collision. The vehicle involved is described as a 2009-2010 black Toyota Highlander with front-end damage.

Last night, Jan. 20, 2022, at approximately 11:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Newport Boulevard and Industrial Way regarding a hit and run traffic collision leaving one victim, a man who had been knocked out of his wheelchair, injured at the scene.

Officers arrived and found the victim with significant injuries. The 50-year-old man was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated but subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His identification is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The suspect driver fled in their vehicle, which is possibly a 2009-2010 black Toyota Highlander with front-end damage.

The CMPD Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the scene and began their investigation.

CMPD is asking anyone with additional information that can assist in identifying the suspect, specifically witnesses who may have seen the suspect vehicle on Newport Boulevard or Industrial Way, to contact Traffic Investigator Luis Gomez at (714) 754-5264.

Nearby businesses and residents in the area of Newport Boulevard and Industrial Way with video footage from last night are also asked to contact Investigator Gomez.

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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