Last Updated on April 19, 2021 by CCAR Staff
TUSTIN — A 62-year-old man from Orange died in a traffic crash Sunday, April 18, in Tustin; and the driver who allegedly caused the crash was arrested by Irvine police on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked on a host of other charges as well.
At around 8:45 a.m. Tustin police were called to the 2800 block of Park Avenue to investigate an unresponsive driver in a drive-thru, Irvine police Lt. Bill Bingham said. After a Tustin police officer arrived, the driver fled in the car, which police later discovered was reported stolen.
The driver — 29-year-old Pedro Pantoja Jr. of Diamond Bar — traveled north on Jamboree Road for about 300 yards before hitting a car north of Warner Avenue, Bingham said.
The person in the other car was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as David Kawashima.
Tustin police requested Irvine police to respond to the crash scene since the collision happened at the border between the cities, Tustin police Sgt. D. Julio said.
Irvine police booked Pantoja on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, causing injury to his passenger while driving under the influence, vehicle theft, parole violation and evading a police officer, Bingham said.
A female passenger in the car driven by Pantoja was also injured and both were transported to a hospital for treatment.
Anyone with information on the fatal crash was asked to call Irvine police Detective Roberto Solis at 949-724-7024. Tipsters can also call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.
