By Andrea Adelson | LB Indy
Vehicles southbound on Coast Highway in Laguna Beach struck pedestrians in crosswalks in separate incidents this past Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, police said.
Due to the severity of the injuries in Saturday’s 7:15 p.m. accident at Calliope Street, police closed Coast Highway in both directions between Bluebird Canyon Drive and Mountain Street for nearly four hours to investigate, Capt. Jason Kravetz said.
So far in 2014, 28 people on foot sustained injuries in Laguna Beach in accidents involving cars and five others have died, including two fatalities of pedestrians and a third on a bicycle, a significant increase compared to 2012, according to police statistics. That year – with one fatality and 19 accidents involving cars and pedestrians – earned Laguna the distinction as the most dangerous of the state’s small cities for people on foot, according to an Office of Traffic Safety ranking.
In the more severe of the two accidents this past weekend, two women both suffered broken bones when struck by a Cadillac SUV being driven by a 71-year-old Laguna Niguel man, Kravetz said. The pedestrians, a 60-year-old Mission Viejo woman and her 56-year-old companion from Santa Monica, were attempting to cross from the inland side of Coast Highway at Calliope in a marked crosswalk, but one which lacks pedestrian activated flashing lights.
No alcohol or drugs were involved and the driver was not arrested, though the investigation is continuing, Kravetz said.
In Friday’s accident, a 20-year-old Anaheim man suffered a broken right leg after he stepped off the curb at Cleo Street and was struck by a rear side mirror of a passing car, Kravetz said.
The motorist, a 58-year-old Laguna Beach woman, was found at fault for running a red light, he said.
Monday, Dec. 1
Traffic collision. Cajon St. 7:56 a.m. A scooter was involved in a collision with a white Mini Cooper, but there were no injuries.
Vandalism. 21600 Treetop Lane. 8:22 a.m. Tagging and etching was discovered in classrooms.
Cut and rescue. Laguna Canyon. 3 p.m. CHP involved in freeing a woman whose sedan rolled three times.
Battery. 22300 block of Eagle Rock Way. 3:19 p.m. A 51-year-old resident of Palm Springs was arrested for battery, suspected of shoving a woman against a car after she had posted a foreclosure notice on his home.
Drunk driving. 900 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 6:43 p.m. Drivers of two vehicles both suffered injuries that required medical treatment as a result of a collision. The motorist who was broadsided and caused the collision by turning left across oncoming traffic is suspected of drunk driving. She was en route to a child care facility to pick up her child prior to the collision.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Pedestrian stop. 1200 block of S. Coast Hwy. 2 a.m. Shane Sutton, 36, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for a probation hold.
Fraud report. 100 block of Cliff Dr. 11:39 a.m. Someone attempted to obtain a loan using his name.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Grand theft. 31100 block of Monterey Street. A six-foot waterfall fountain affixed to a wall of a residence and valued at $9,000 was stolen. Two younger males in a white pickup truck were seen in the driveway around the time of the theft.
Hit and run. 31100 block of Coast Hwy. 5 p.m. Police summoned to the Aliso Beach parking lot because of a car driving dangerously that had sideswiped one vehicle arrested Phillip Arthur Rose Jr., 48, of Laguna Niguel. He was placed on a “flash incarceration” hold after police allegedly found drug paraphernalia in his vehicle.
Friday, Dec. 5
Traffic stop. 600 block of S. Coast Hwy. 9:48 p.m. A 43-year-old Anaheim Hills man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Traffic stop. Wesley Drive at Coast Hwy. 1:41 a.m. Steven Thomas Going, 50, of Laguna Niguel, was arrested for suspected drink driving and held for $10,000 due to a prior arrest.
Traffic stop. Crown Valley. 2 a.m. A La Palma man, 31, was suspected of DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Traffic stop. Montage Resort Dr. 5:36 a.m. A Dana Point man, 31, was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Disturbance. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 5:27 a.m. Michael Gugliotta, 50, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for felony domestic battery after citizens reported arguing coming from a ravine. In an encampment across the street from the homeless shelter, officers found a female with injuries allegedly caused by Gugliotta. Bail was set at $50,000.
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