COSTA MESA, Calif. -- On Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at about 2:00 a.m., the Newport Beach Police Department responded to a major injury traffic collision on Irvine Avenue, between Monte Vista and Santa Isabel, on the border of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Since the collision involved both cities, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) also responded to the scene.
The hit and run collision involved a single motorcyclist driving north before he hit the median on Irvine Avenue and ended up in the southbound lanes, in Costa Mesa’s jurisdiction. The motorcyclist was down in the road when he was run over by a black SUV. Once first responders arrived at the scene, the motorcyclist was transported to Orange County Global Medical Center, where he subsequently died. The motorcyclist was later identified by the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner as 22-year-old Ruben Rodriguez Banuelos from Rancho Cucamonga.
CMPD is investigating the fatal hit and run. CMPD is requesting the public’s help in identifying the suspect black SUV and driver who drove away after running over the motorcyclist in Costa Mesa before fleeing the scene.
We are asking that anyone with CCTV video or Ring video along Irvine Avenue north and south of the crash scene look for footage from early Sunday, Sept. 22, between 1:50 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. for the suspect approaching the crash scene. Furthermore, between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. for anyone who has cameras on the east side that may have picked up the suspect after the crash.
Anyone with further information or video of this incident, please contact Traffic Sergeant Zack Hoferitza at 714-754-5125.
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Media contact:
Roxi Fyad, Public Affairs Manager
[email protected]
Media is asked not to contact the sergeant listed on the release for further info.
