Pedestrian killed while crossing street in Orange County

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – A woman was fatally injured Sunday evening as she tried to cross a busy road in Laguna Beach.

The crash happened around 6 p.m. near the 30600 block of South Coast Highway, according to Laguna Beach police.

The woman was treated at the scene, then taken to a hospital, where she later died, police said. Her name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The investigation revealed the woman was not in a crosswalk when she tried to cross the road. Instead, she was hit by a number of vehicles, police reported. The involved motorists stayed at the scene and were cooperating with the police.

Probably not the best time to enact a new law inviting people to jaywalk, or refuse to enforce laws for driving without a license or on a suspended license. L.A. traffic deaths rose in 2022, surpassing 300 fatalities for first time in two decades https://t.co/ZDIiXhXybK

— JOHN MCKINNEY #PROPORTIONAL JUSTICE (@johnmckinney_) January 14, 2023

“We are deeply saddened by yet another pedestrian fatality on Coast Highway and we send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen.

“Coast Highway is owned and operated by Caltrans and we will reach out to them to determine if they can implement additional safety improvements to make the roadway safer for pedestrians. We need to hold Caltrans accountable to find safety solutions to avoid more tragic accidents in our city,” Whalen said.

All southbound lanes are closed on Coast Highway from Nyes Place to Montage for the death investigation, police said.

Anyone with information on this crash was asked to call Laguna Beach police at 949-497-0701.