2 Hit-And-Run Drivers Sought After Pedestrian Killed In Santa Ana Amid Heavy Fog
SANTA ANA (CBSLA) – Authorities are searching for two drivers believed to have struck a man who died in foggy conditions on a residential Santa Ana street in the early morning hours Friday. Only the third driver who struck the victim stayed at the scene.
The incident was reported at 1:20 a.m. in the 700 block of South Fairview Street, north of McFadden Avenue.
Several hours after the incident occurred, authorities were finally informed of the identity of the victim, 41-year-old Arturo Quevado. The severe facial and head trauma that the victim experienced made it difficult to describe and identify him.
"The major facial trauma that occurred during this incident, we have no idea who he is, and we're just asking for assistance at this point," Rojo said early Friday morning.
Investigators believe that the victim was struck by three vehicles. Only the third driver stopped at the scene and called for help.
"It is unknown right now what happened at the scene," Santa Ana police Cpl. Sonia Rojo said. "We don't know if he was crossing the street, we don't know if he tumbled on the street and got hit."
Police believe the first two vehicles that struck him were a Hyundai and an older 2000's model Mercedes-Benz.
"Two other vehicles are believed to have been part of this incident," Rojo said. "Only because there was major debris that was left behind. That debris and the investigations that our officers have conducted was that there was a Hyundai that was involved, and also a Mercedes Benz were involved."
Authorities said that the pieces of debris found at the scene are connected to the incident as they contain traces of blood and other evidence.
He was not carrying identification at the time, and investigators were unable to identify him. Rojo noted that there are several apartments and houses alongside Fairview Street, and it is possible the man was walking home.
Conditions were dark and foggy and the victim was not in a marked crosswalk. Rojo urged the other drivers involved to come forward. Rojo said the driver who did remain at the scene was traumatized.
"They had no idea they had hit a person," Rojo said. "And they, fortunately, came back to be able to see that, 'Oh my goodness, I just struck somebody.' They stayed on scene and they called police to tell them what happened."
Neighbors told CBSLA that drivers often speed along six-lane Fairview Street late at night. There was no word regarding whether there were any nearby security cameras that captured footage of the collisions.
Authorities stated that any driver involved in a collision is obligated to stop. The two vehicles that are believed to have been part of the incident will have considerable damage. A piece of a bumper and parts of broken headlights were found at the scene.
They have asked witnesses to step forward and help them solve this case.