TRAFFIC FATALITY – PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY AND SANTIAGO AVENUE

On May 10, 2022, at approximately 1:51 a.m., officers were dispatched to a non-injury traffic collision near the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Santiago Avenue, which resulted in the death of a male adult.  

Upon arrival, officers located a single vehicle that had collided into a stone wall. A tow truck responded to the scene and began removing the vehicle when officers discovered an unconscious male pedestrian underneath the vehicle. The Long Beach Fire department responded and determined the pedestrian deceased at the scene. 

The preliminary investigation revealed that the male adult driver of a white Dodge Van was traveling westbound on Pacific Coast Highway when he collided with the north curbline, entered onto a flower bed, rolled over several large bushes, and sideswiped a nearby wall. The pedestrian appeared to have been sleeping in the bushes prior to the collision and was subsequently struck by the van.  

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.  

The decedent is only being identified as a 66-year-old male adult believed to be experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. His identity is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin, which will be conducted by The Department of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. 

 At this time, the investigation to determine the cause of the collision remains underway. However, distracted driving, impaired driving, nor speed are believed to be factors in the collision. 

 Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is asked to call Long Beach Police Department Collision Investigation Detail Detective Jeff Meyer or Detective Shawn Loughlin at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 TIPS” app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org