hit-and-run accident

Published on: April 12, 2013

Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Riverside County Hit-and-Run Crash

By Brian Chase

A female pedestrian in her early 50s suffered major injuries after she was struck by a vehicle, which left the scene. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the hit-and-run crash occurred on April 8, 2013. California Highway Patrol officials say the woman was walking southbound on the shoulder of Marshall Street south of Fisher Street between Lake Mathews and Interstate 215 in Perris. A vehicle swerved into the right shoulder and struck the pedestrian, officials say. The vehicle has been identified as white with a missing right front mirror and possible damage to the right front side. Anyone who witnessed this crash or has information about the suspect is asked to call CHP officials are 951-637-8000.

Pedestrian Crash Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 11 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Perris. In Riverside County as a whole, 32 people died and 349 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.

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Published on: September 18, 2012

Police Arrest Man in Connection with Fatal Newport Beach Hit-and-Run

By Brian Chase

Newport Beach police have arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with a hit-and-run collision that occurred on September 14, 2012. The crash fatally injured reputed Orange County doctor and avid bicyclist, Catherine “Kit” Campion Ritz, 57. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, police arrested Michael Jason Lopez was arrested on September 18, 2012 and has been charged with hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Ritz was killed when she was struck from behind by a pickup truck while riding her bicycle north on Pacific Coast Highway, between Ocean Vista and Vista Ridge.

My heartfelt condolences go out to everybody who knew and loved Ritz, who was apparently a respected professional and a beloved member of the community. The Daily Pilot states that Ritz was a member of the U.S. National Disaster Medical Team and had served for the last 18 years as the president of Greater Newport Physicians. Ritz was also an avid bicyclist, hiker and kayaker. This is indeed a tragic loss for her family and the community.
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Published on: July 5, 2012

Officials: Speeding Motorist Fled the Scene of Ventura Car Crash

By Brian Chase

A 75-year-old man was injured in a Ventura car accident involving a driver who fled the scene of the collision. According to a news article in The Ventura County Star, the hit-and-run accident occurred at Kimball Road and Thille Street, the afternoon of July 3, 2012. Officials say the man and his wife were stopped at a red light when their vehicle was rear-ended. The 75-year-old victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The hit-and-run driver, 26-year-old Aaron Budzinski, was tracked down and arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run.

My thoughts and prayers are with the man injured in this Ventura hit-and-run car accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
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Published on: July 2, 2012

Bicyclist in Critical Condition after Hollywood Hills Hit-and-Run Crash

By Brian Chase

A 55-year-old male bicyclist suffered life threatening head injuries in a car collision in Los Angeles, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a CBS news report, the bicyclist was traveling on Outpost Drive near Mulholland Drive the afternoon of June 29, 2012 in the Hollywood Hills area, when a rust-colored late-model Jeep Cherokee struck him. The Jeep left the scene. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with major head trauma. Anyone with more information about this crash is asked to call the LAPD’s West Traffic Division (213) 473-0234.

My thoughts and prayers are with the bicyclist, who has suffered severe head injuries in this hit-and-run crash. I wish him the very best for a complete recovery.
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Published on: June 25, 2012

Child Killed, Two Critically Injured in Santa Ana Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Osmara Mesa, 5, was killed and her sister and mother, remained in critical condition after a Santa Ana car accident that was caused by a suspected DUI driver who left the scene of the crash. According to a news article in The Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred at the intersection of 17th and Spurgeon streets, the morning of June 23, 2012. Police say the mother and her two children were walking in a marked crosswalk when 33-year-old Jessica Louise Cowan drove her Lexus through a red light and struck the pedestrians. Cowan tried to get away, but was stopped by a driver who witnessed the crash. Cowan is facing several charges including felony hit-and-run, felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

Tragic DUI Collision

Osmara died at the scene. Her mother, 45, suffered severe head trauma and is in critical condition after this Santa Ana pedestrian accident. Her 6-year-old sister also suffered head injuries, but is expected to survive. Cowan was driving 60 mph or more at the time as she headed west on 17th Street. Officials say they would not have Cowan in custody now had a female driver not cut off and trapped Cowan at Main and 17th streets.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members of Osmara Mesa who are grieving the loss of this little girl and are caring for two other critically injured family members. This family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I wish the two severely injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. I commend the driver who saw the hit-and-run car accident and courageously stopped the driver who tried to get away. This person is truly a hero!
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Published on: June 8, 2012

Bicyclist Killed in North Hills Hit-and-Run Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A 53-year-old man was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident after the bicycle he was riding was struck by an SUV whose driver fled the scene. According to a City News Service report, the hit-and-run crash occurred during the early morning hours of June 8, 2012 near the intersection of Nordhoff Street and Gaviota Avenue. Both the bicyclist and the SUV were eastbound on Nordhoff. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. Witnesses told police that the victim was thrown onto the windshield of the SUV, which was described as a dark Ford or Chevrolet. The bicyclist then fell into a planter in front of an auto parts store. Officials are still looking for the hit-and-run driver.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family members and friends of this deceased hit-and-run car accident victim. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: April 19, 2012

Teenager Injured in Costa Mesa Hit-and-Run Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A teenage bicyclist was injured in a Costa Mesa car accident, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury bicycle crash occurred the morning of April 17, 2012 near Harbor Boulevard and Gisler Avenue. Police say the youth suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the collision. The suspect vehicle is described as a gray four-door sedan, either a Nissan or a Toyota, with minor front-end damage. Anyone with information about the crash or the driver is asked to contact Costa Mesa police at 714-754-5281.

I’m relieved to note that the teen was not critically injured in this hit-and-run car accident. I wish this young victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
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Published on: March 30, 2012

Woman Injured in Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Accident

By Brian Chase

Marie Hardwick, 24, was severely injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the hit-and-run accident occurred outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) at Wilshire Boulevard and Spaulding Avenue in Los Angeles, the early morning of March 25, 2012. Officials say Hardwick was struck by a black BMW with no license plates and that there were two men in the vehicle. Hardwick was seriously injured and has already undergone eleven hours of surgery for her multiple injuries including broken legs, ripped tendons and a smashed jaw. Investigators are looking for information about this hit-and-run driver.

My heart goes out to Marie Hardwick following this terrible hit-and-run car accident. Friends say Hardwick had just watched an art film at the museum event along with many others. I pray that she has a complete recovery. Apparently the victim has been so badly injured that she may have to spend several months in the hospital.
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Published on: March 19, 2012

Elderly Woman Fatally Injured in Pacoima Hit-and-Run Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Virginia Ramirez, 79, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck by two vehicles. According to a CBS news report, the hit-and-run accident occurred the morning of March 17, 2012 near Glenoaks Boulevard and Mercer Street in Pacoima. Ramirez was crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk when the first vehicle hit her. Officials say that a Latino male got out of his car, looked at the victim lying on the roadway and then got back into his vehicle and drove away. That vehicle has been described as a bright red pickup truck, possibly a Nissan Frontier.

A second vehicle, a white Chevy Mote Carlo then crashed into the woman as she was lying on the roadway. The second driver, only described as a woman, also fled the scene. Anyone with information about these hit-and-run drivers is asked to contact LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8114.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Virginia Ramirez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: March 14, 2012

Woman Injured in Industry Area Hit-and-Run Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A woman suffered major injuries in a Los Angeles car accident, after a tractor-trailer struck her and fled the scene. According to a news report in The Walnut Patch, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Temple Avenue, the morning of March 13, 2012.

Officials say the woman was walking eastbound on Valley and crossing the intersection in a marked crosswalk with a green light when the tractor-trailer, exiting the 605 Freeway, failed to yield for the pedestrian. The big rig struck the victim and then pushed and dragged her for approximately 20 feet. The truck driver did not stop, but kept going eastbound on Valley Boulevard. The woman suffered major head and internal injuries. Officials are still looking for the hit-and-run driver and vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact officials at 626-338-1164.
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