Costa Mesa Man Dead In Suspected Hit-And-Run; Driver Sought

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A 60-year-old Costa Mesa man died Thursday night after he and a 60-year-old woman were struck by a vehicle while they were crossing the street. They were in Laguna Beach celebrating their anniversary, police said.

The pair were hit around 9:38 p.m. while crossing S. Coast Highway in a lit marked crosswalk at Pearl Street. The driver of a light-colored Volkswagen sedan struck the couple as they attempted to cross, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a statement.

The driver reportedly failed to stop at the intersection and fled the scene, police said.

Arriving officers found the man with life-threatening injuries and the woman, also a Costa Mesa resident, with moderate injuries. The man succumbed to severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The woman was evaluated for minor injuries and discharged from the hospital.

The man's identity is being withheld pending the notification of family.

Police were searching for the vehicle and the driver on Friday and said the Volkswagen sedan is likely to have front-end damage.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims of this tragedy and to their family during this difficult time,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert. “We encourage anyone who saw something or has information about the incident to please contact our detectives so the driver of the vehicle can be found and brought to justice.”

Anyone with information about the incident was urged to contact detective Joy Butterfield at 949-497-0373 or by email at jbutterfield@lagunabeachcity.net.