A 75-year-old man visiting his family from Mexico was killed early Thursday in a hit and run crash in Santa Ana.
Miguel Chavez Ceja, who used a cane but still went out every morning for a walk, was crossing at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Stanford Street in Santa Ana when he was struck at about 6:40 a.m., police said.
The driver who hit him kept going, leaving Ceja to die in the street, said Santa Ana police spokesman Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
The father of ten was struck with such force that his belongings were scattered all over the street. His walking cane was found under a car, about 20 feet away from one of his shoes.
Police say he died instantly.
But in an unusual stroke of luck for police in such cases, police were able to narrow down the make, model and color of the car from debris left behind in the roadway, Bertagna said.
Officers believe the vehicle that struck and killed Ceja was a dark blue 1995 BMW 740 IL traveling northbound on Orange Ave.
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"The car will be missing the driver's side mirror and should have moderate to heavy damages to the left side," Bertagna said.
Police are seeking the public's help in finding the driver of the car, and are asking anyone with information to call Orange County Crimestoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
