Two pedestrians involved in a verbal dispute were hit by a vehicle in Santa Ana and one died

SANTA ANA, CA (November 13, 2024) – A 46-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were struck by a vehicle. The man was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital, according to the SAPD.

On November 12, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., the Santa Ana Police Department received multiple calls reporting a collision near the intersection of Grand Avenue and St. Andrew Place.

Police officers, along with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), responded to the scene and discovered that the collision involved a vehicle and two pedestrians.

Both pedestrians, identified as John Anthony Escobar (46) and Alexis Ray Mugica (29) of Newport Beach, were treated at the scene before being transported to a local hospital by OCFA. Despite life-saving efforts, John succumbed to his injuries; Alexis was treated for injuries and is listed in stable condition.

During the investigation, officers obtained video surveillance that captured the events leading up to the collision. The video shows John and Alexis having a verbal dispute near a bus bench on the west sidewalk of Grand Ave. John is later seen following Alexis as she crosses eastbound across southbound lanes of traffic. While attempting to escort her back toward the sidewalk to avoid oncoming traffic, both pedestrians were struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on Grand Ave. before they reached the sidewalk. The driver remained at the scene, cooperated with the investigation, and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) is investigating this incident. Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Detective K. Catlin at (714) 245-8706 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200