Hit and Run Suspect Identified
At approximately 9:26 pm, Laguna Beach Police and Fire responded to Cleo Street and South Coast Highway in reference to an injury hit and run involving a vehicle versus pedestrian. The pedestrian was located in the number one traffic lane of southbound South Coast Highway south of Cleo Street.
Laguna Beach Police Department, September 13, 2019 Media Release
The suspect vehicle was described as a blue vehicle, possibly a mustang, which was last seen southbound on South Coast Highway. The driver was described only as a male 25-35 years old with short spikey hair and black sunglasses.
The initial investigation revealed the pedestrian was crossing from the southwest corner of Cleo Street and South Coast Highway to the southeast corner in a marked crosswalk with a walk signal illuminated. The suspect vehicle was in the 200 block of Cleo Street and made a left turn onto southbound South Coast Highway where it struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk, causing her to roll onto the hood of the vehicle before coming to rest in the roadway. The pedestrian suffered lacerations to her elbow and ankle, and complained of head pain. She was transported to Mission Hospital-Mission Viejo.
The southbound lanes of South Coast Highway were shut down at Legion Street for approximately 30 minutes. A search of city cameras by LBPD Dispatchers revealed a possible license plate of the suspect vehicle with an address in San Diego. San Diego PD responded to the address and located the vehicle with traffic collision damage. San Diego PD also detained the registered owner (Lorenzo Velazquezurbano) and impounded the vehicle for evidence.
LBPD Detective’s responded to San Diego for follow-up and to take custody of the suspect/vehicle.
