A late-night hit-and-run just steps from the Long Beach shoreline left a man dead Monday near Ocean Boulevard and Golden Shore, according to authorities. The collision happened at about 11:40 p.m., and Long Beach Fire Department crews pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene.
Long Beach Police Department Lt. Benjamin Vargas told MyNewsLA that the driver never stopped, and detectives are treating the case as a hit-and-run. Video from the scene showed officers covering the man's body in the traffic lanes, and the outlet reported that a crosswalk was not visible in the area. Authorities have not released the victim's name, saying they are waiting for positive identification and notification of next of kin.
Investigation
Detectives from the Long Beach Police Department's Collision Investigation Detail responded to the scene and are working to identify the vehicle and driver involved, police said. The Long Beach Police Department press page lists the Collision Investigation tip line at (562) 570-7355 for anyone who might have seen something or has information that could help.
The death comes amid a troubling local pattern. Long Beach set a goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2026, but fatalities have increased since 2020, according to the Long Beach Post. The outlet reported that the city's official count shows about 139 fatal collisions since 2020 and nearly 200 traffic-related deaths when other categories are included, a total that city officials say is making it harder to hit their Vision Zero targets.
Legal consequences for hit-and-run drivers
Under California law, specifically Vehicle Code §20001, a driver who leaves the scene of a collision that injures or kills someone can face felony charges. When a crash results in death or in a permanent, serious injury, the statute allows prison terms of two, three, or four years, along with potential fines and minimum jail terms in some circumstances.
Anyone who witnessed the crash near Ocean Boulevard and Golden Shore, or who has surveillance or dashcam video from around 11:40 p.m., is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department's Collision Investigation Detail at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or through the organization's online tip portal.
