A driver with multiple convictions for driving under the influence struck and killed a pedestrian before leading Orange County authorities in a chase on Tuesday, according to police.
The collision happened shortly after 11 a.m. on North Tustin Street near East Walnut Avenue in the city of Orange.
Police tell KTLA 5’s Chip Yost that the driver of a gray sedan struck a man who was crossing the street and then drove away, even though the vehicle had sustained severe damage.
A patrol officer found the male victim lying on the road and spoke to witnesses who, according to police, pointed authorities in the right direction.
A pair of running shoes can be seen in the middle of the road where the victim was struck.
“I was scared,” said a local resident who heard the crash. “I thought it was two cars impacting. That’s how bad it sounded.”
A photo provided by the Orange Police Department shows the badly damaged sedan following a hit and run crash. March 12, 2024. (Orange PD) 
Police arrested Jonathan Lopez after the fatal hit and run in Orange, Calif. March 12, 2024. (Orange PD) 
The victim’s shoe is seen in the roadway after a driver with multiple DUI convictions struck and killed a pedestrian in Orange on March 12, 2024. (KTLA) 
The victim’s shoe is seen in the roadway after a driver with multiple DUI convictions struck and killed a pedestrian in Orange on March 12, 2024. (KTLA) 
A driver with multiple DUI convictions struck and killed a pedestrian before leading Orange County authorities in a chase on March 12, 2024. (KTLA)
“The suspect ran him over and fled north without stopping and checking on him at all,” said Orange Police Lt. Phil McMullin.
After speaking to witnesses, officers were able to track down the silver-colored Scion about a mile away from the crash scene near Katella Avenue and Glassell Street.
“I can’t image [how] he was still able to drive the car or get very far at all,” said Orange Police Lt. Phil McMullin. “Fortunately, it stood out.”
After a short pursuit, officers took the suspect, Jonathan Lopez, 31, into custody on Tustin Street near Adams Avenue.
“Lopez displayed objective signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication and was arrested for felony DUI, felony hit and run, evading, and vehicular homicide,” police said.
Police say Lopez has four prior convictions for DUI over the past 10 years — three from Orange County and one from out-of-state. At the time of the crash, he was driving without a license and had a warrant out for his arrest.
“He’s definitely a danger on our roadways and we are glad he’s been arrested,” Lt. McMullin said. He faces several charges including vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and felony evading.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was not released as the investigation remains ongoing.
On March 14, Lopez was officially charged with murder, hit-and-run with permanent injury or death, evading while driving recklessly, DUI with three or more priors and driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher.
He also faces one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
“An innocent man is dead because someone without a license who has been prohibited from driving because of his extensive DUI history decided to ignore every warning he was ever given that drinking and driving can be deadly and get behind the wheel while intoxicated,” said O.C. District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “It is clear this individual has absolutely no regard for human life and no respect for the rule of law. Not even jail time could prevent him from putting his own selfish actions over the lives of everyone else on the road that day.”
If convicted of all charges, he faces anywhere from 18 years to life in prison.
