Pedestrian, 20, Involved In Fatal Hit-And-Run On Ortega Highway Is Identified
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO (CBSLA.com) — A deadly hit-and-run accident left the Ortega (74) Highway near San Juan Capistrano shut down Friday morning, authorities said.
The accident near the intersection of Ortega Highway and Antonio Parkway at the Orange County-Riverside County line was reported to the Orange County Sheriff's Department around 4.25 a.m., according to a California Highway Patrol dispatcher.
Authorities said the victim -- a 20-year-old white male Foothill Ranch resident -- was first involved in a rollover crash.
After he crawled out of his vehicle, the victim walked along the highway apparently to get help. He was killed about a mile-and-a-half away from his crashed vehicle by the driver of an unidentified car, which fled the scene, authorities said.
The victim was identified Friday evening as Elijah Alexander Ward. The CHP said his cellphone had a dead battery when he was found.
He was driving a blue Scion eastbound on Ortega just east of Antonio Parkway, according to CHP Officer John Latosquin.
For unknown reasons, Ward lost control of his car, authorities said. When he exited his car, he was hit by a light-colored Subaru or Legacy, according to Latosquin. The suspect fled the scene.
A SigAlert was issued at 5:41 a.m. The freeway was expected to be shut down for at at least four hours, according to CHP.
Anyone with information on the suspect's vehicle - which should have fresh damage to the front end or carriage - is asked to contact the CHP Capistrano Area office at (949) 487-4000.