Full Notification

On June 03, 2017 at approximately 11:53 p.m., officers from the Torrance Police Department responded to a major two car traffic collision at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 242nd Street. 

On arrival, officers discovered that a black, 1998 Honda Coupe and a blue, 2016 Nissan Sedan had collided head-on in the southbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway. 

Based on witness statements, the initial investigation indicates the Honda was traveling northbound on Pacific Coast Highway at a high rate of speed when it collided with the raised center median.   After colliding with the center median, the Honda lost control and crossed over into the opposing traffic lanes, collided head-on with the Nissan, which was travelling southbound on Pacific Coast Highway.  

It appeared the Honda may have been racing another vehicle, which was described as a dark colored, possible BMW. The dark colored vehicle fled the scene without stopping, and was last seen northbound on Pacific Coast Highway.

The driver of the Nissan, a 20-year-old male resident of Harbor City was treated by Torrance Fire Department Personnel at the scene, but succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Nissan was positively identified by investigators, but his name is being withheld pending notification to a next of kin. 

The driver of the Honda, a 19-year-old male resident of Los Angeles, was treated by Torrance Fire Department Personnel at the scene and transported to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.  The driver of the Honda was subsequently arrested by the Torrance Police Department for Reckless Driving and Vehicular Manslaughter.

The two male passengers in the Honda, 18 and 19 years of age, and both residents of Los Angeles, were treated by Torrance Fire Department Personnel at the scene for various injuries and transported to two local hospitals.  One of the passengers was listed in stable condition, and the other was examined for a minor complaint of pain and released from the hospital. 

Pacific Coast Highway was closed in both directions between Hawthorne Boulevard and Madison Street for approximately five hours during the collision investigation.

This collision is being investigated by the Torrance Police Department’s Traffic Division under the command of Captain Martin Vukotic, Commander of the Special Operations Bureau.  Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the Torrance Police Department’s Traffic Division at (310) 618-5557.

Lieutenant Kyle Goffney 

Traffic and Special Events Division Commander

“See Something, Say Something”

Emergency 9-1-1

Non-Emergency: 310-328-3456

 Provided By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.Police.TorranceCA.Gov
www.YouTube.com/TPDCommAffairs
www.Facebook.com/TorrancePD
www.Twitter.com/TorrancePD