Driver Sought In Fatal Costa Mesa Hit-And-Run

COSTA MESA, CA — The Costa Mesa Police Department is asking the public to help find the hit-and-run driver who killed a man in a wheelchair Thursday night.

Police are searching for a 2009 or 2010 black Toyota Highlander with front-end damage, authorities said. Anyone with surveillance footage or who witnessed the collision can contact Luis Gomez, a police traffic investigator, at 714-754-5264.

The collision happened around 11:30 p.m. near Newport Boulevard and Industrial Way. Richard Smith, 50, of Newport Beach, was struck by a car and thrown from his wheelchair, police said.

Smith was taken to a nearby hospital and later died, according to police.

City News Service contributed to this report.