A 67-year-old man remains hospitalized after a violent hit-and-run crash at Anaheim Street and Redondo Avenue that hurled him roughly 40 feet out of a crosswalk. The collision happened around 1:05 a.m. on Feb. 28 and left him with a fractured right leg along with severe liver and internal injuries that required emergency surgery. Long Beach police say they are still searching for the driver as the investigation moves forward.
Detectives followed surveillance footage that showed an older red van, described as a Toyota Previa, heading westbound on Anaheim Street and, earlier, on Seventh Street near Margo Avenue. Investigators say the video captured a clear view of the license plate, which they traced to a Walnut Avenue address near East 17th Street. When detectives went to the home, they found a red 1997 Toyota Previa parked with driver-side windshield damage that investigators say is consistent with striking a pedestrian, according to the Long Beach Post.
What police say
According to investigators' documents, the victim was walking northbound in a marked crosswalk when the signal changed from green to red. He continued through the crosswalk and was hit by a van traveling westbound on Anaheim Street. The impact sent him about 40 feet west of the crosswalk, investigators reported, and officers then took him to a hospital for emergency treatment.
Investigation status
Police executed a search warrant after tracing the license plate to the Walnut Avenue address, but have not made any arrests. They have also declined to say whether the registered owner of the van was behind the wheel at the time of the crash. Detectives are continuing to follow leads and are asking the public for information as the case remains active, as detailed by the Long Beach Post.
Legal implications
Under California law, drivers involved in collisions that injure another person must stop and provide information. Failing to do so can bring serious criminal penalties. Vehicle Code §20001 states that "the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury ... shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene," and the statute prescribes prison terms or fines depending on how severe the injuries are. See Vehicle Code §20001 for the full text.
Why it matters locally
Long Beach has a Vision Zero goal and a Safe Streets action plan aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries, which helps explain why hit-and-run crashes draw such strong concern. The city's 2023 progress report notes that fatal and serious-injury collisions have risen in recent years and that vulnerable road users, including older adults, are overrepresented in those crashes. It is a sobering backdrop for this case and underscores the stakes for pedestrian safety in Long Beach. For more context, see the city's Safe Streets Long Beach Action Plan.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the red van is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department so detectives can follow up on tips. Witnesses can reach investigators through the department's non-emergency line or its online tip portal to help move the investigation forward.
