Deanna Stuve, 48, was killed and her 50-year-old husband, Frederick, suffered major injuries in a Huntington Beach pedestrian accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver.
According to a KTLA news report, the husband and wife were crossing at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Newland Street the night of July 25 when the driver of a Nissan Altima ran a red light northbound on PCH and struck them.
Police said the pedestrians were walking in a marked crosswalk. Deanna Stuve was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was transported to an area hospital where he remained in critical condition. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for the couple according to which the couple has two daughters and Deanna was an elementary school teacher.
Ongoing Investigation
The driver, 26-year-old Chillandra Bell, initially left the scene after the collision but stopped a short distance away where she and an unidentified female passenger abandoned the vehicle. They then got into a car that was waiting and left. However, investigators were able to track down the car to a home in Huntington Beach, thanks to multiple witnesses and surveillance video. They conducted surveillance at the home and arrested Bell as she was leaving, officials said.
Bell was booked on suspicion of multiple offenses including hit-and-run resulting in death or injury and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Authorities said they are still trying to identify the driver of the getaway car and others who may have been involved. The incident is still under investigation.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Deanna Stuve, especially her husband, who remains critically injured, and their two daughters. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.
Justice for Victims and Families
We are relieved to note that the hit-and-run driver in this case was apprehended. In such cases, injured victims and families of deceased victims struggle with unforeseen expenses, not to mention the grief of losing a loved one or dealing with catastrophic injuries. Victims and families would be well advised to contact an experienced Huntington Beach hit and run lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/alleged-hit-and-run-driver-arrested-after-2-pedestrians-struck-1-fatally-on-pch-in-huntington-beach/