A desperate attempt to escape a machete attack on a busy Westminster thoroughfare turned fatal on June 14, when a man ran into traffic and was struck by two vehicles near the 9200 block of Bolsa Avenue, police said. Surveillance footage and witnesses captured the sequence, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators are handling the roadside assault and the deadly hit-and-run as two separate probes.
According to The Independent, Westminster police said the victim was struck in the head "several times" by at least one person wielding a machete before he fled into the roadway in search of help. The Orange County Fire Authority pronounced him dead at the scene, and officers said they recovered a machete from a suspect during the investigation.
Arrests in the attack
The Westminster Police Department reported that officers arrested 25-year-old Keaton Jones and 56-year-old Qui Ly, both residents of Westminster, on suspicion of taking part in the machete assault. The two were booked into the Orange County Jail on attempted murder charges. Detectives handling the assault case are working alongside traffic investigators who are focused on the hit-and-run portion of the incident and are continuing to gather video and witness statements.
Hit-and-run driver still sought
Investigators have identified one of the drivers involved after that person fled to Anaheim, but a second driver, described as operating a newer blue or black Toyota RAV4, remained at large, according to The Independent. Westminster's traffic division is seeking any additional footage or information from the public as the dual assault and traffic investigations move forward.
Legal implications
The two suspects are currently booked on attempted murder charges, and additional counts could follow as the case develops. If prosecutors choose to pursue hit-and-run charges against any driver who left the scene, the consequences can be significant. Under the state statute detailed by the California Legislature, leaving the scene of an incident that results in death can lead to multi-year prison terms, with enhanced penalties when a crash causes death or permanent serious injury.
Where it happened
The violence unfolded along Bolsa Avenue, the main commercial spine of Westminster's Little Saigon district, a dense corridor of restaurants and shops that draws visitors from across Orange County. The city has flagged the area for ongoing efforts to upgrade the streetscape and support local businesses, according to the City of Westminster.
Authorities are asking anyone with information or video related to the attack or the subsequent hit-and-run to contact the Westminster Police Department tip line or Orange County Crime Stoppers. As the investigations progress and evidence is reviewed, the Westminster Police Department and the Orange County district attorney's office will determine what charges to pursue.
