Skateboarder Death: Vehicle Could be Pickup, SUV

Orange County sheriff’s investigators today were asking for the public’s help to locate the vehicle and driver responsible for the hit-and-run death of a 23-year-old man riding a skateboard who was struck in San Juan Capistrano and died 35 minutes later at a hospital.

The victim was identified as Cesar Medina, according to the coroner’s office.

The crash occurred at 10:15 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Del Obispo Street and Paseo Carolina, said Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

An early 2000s faded black pickup or SUV with tinted windows was going eastbound on Del Obispo when it struck Medina at the intersection, Hallock said. Investigators believe the vehicle has front-end damage as a result of the collision.

“It appears based on witness statements and evidence collected at the scene, Medina was struck in the crosswalk as he crossed from the south to the north side of Del Obispo,” he said. “All initial witness accounts indicate Medina was crossing on a green light (walk sign).”

Paramedics rushed Medina to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. Friday, according to the coroner’s office.

Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run fatality was asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000.

-City News Service