Pedestrian struck and killed in West Long Beach

On 5/11/20 at approximately 6:40 p.m., officers from the Long Beach Police Department were dispatched to the area of Santa Fe Avenue and Hill Street regarding an injury traffic collision between two vehicles. Upon their arrival, officers located two vehicles and a pedestrian who had also been struck. The pedestrian was not conscious and not breathing.

The Long Beach Fire Department responded and administered medical aid to both drivers and the pedestrian. The pedestrian succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Both drivers of the two vehicles were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Lexus IS200 was traveling southbound on Santa Fe Avenue at a high rate of speed. The Lexus ran the red light at Hill Street and struck a 2003 Honda Odyssey that was traveling eastbound on Hill Street. The impact caused the Lexus to spin and collide into a pedestrian who was in a marked crosswalk attempting to legally cross Santa Fe Avenue on a green light.

It is believed the Lexus was racing another vehicle right before the collision occurred. The other vehicle did not remain on scene and left. That vehicle is described as a black Nissan 350Z with a slatted window covering on the back window.

The driver of the Honda Odyssey sustained minor injuries. The driver of the Lexus is in stable but critical condition. Drugs and alcohol do not seem to have been a factor in this collision.

The pedestrian has been identified as 59-year-old Josephine Espiritu from Long Beach.

The driver of the Lexus has not been arrested for the incident and remains in a local hospital receiving treatment. Detectives will be presenting the case to the District Attorney’s Office today for filling consideration.

Anyone with information regarding the collision is asked to contact Detective K. Myers or Detective A. Duncan of the Long Beach Police Department Collision Investigation Detail at (562)570-7355.