Driver Suspected In Fatal Hit-And-Run Arrested In Seal Beach
SEAL BEACH (CBS) — One person has been apprehended in Seal Beach following a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist in Huntington Beach.
The suspect, a male with cuts all over his face, was detained in Seal Beach after he crashed his car.
Mike Case, who was over the scene in Sky9, said the location of the fatal accident was about a mile or two away from where the suspect was detained.
"Very quick work by Huntington Beach law enforcement. An observer in a helicopter observed this vehicle, which is a light grey Hyundai," Case said. "They followed that vehicle, he ran off the road and they took the driver into custody."
The accident occurred near Warner and the Pacific Coast Highway around 11:41 a.m. Friday.
KCAL9 and CBS2 reporter Amanda Burden Friday evening reported the victim has been identified as Roger Michael Lippman, 63, of Huntington Beach. He was declared dead at the scene, reported Burden.
The suspected hit-and-run driver, now identified as 27-yearold Joel Murphy, crashed his car into a fence of the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.
The victim was reportedly struck while riding in the bicycle lane.
The investigation into the crash is on-going.
Cyclist Adam Booker rides the same path as the deceased -- for exercise and sight-seeing. He told Burden he might be less likely now after this accident and would be definitely "taking more precautions."
Likewise, cyclist Tony D'Asaro who said the accident reminds him, "I need to be more careful."
Sgt. Jon Haught of the Huntington Beach Police department was acting for any witnesses to the accident to please come forward.
Murphy, a Mission Viejo resident, has been charged with driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter. He was also charge with a probation violation.
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