Unhoused Citizen Struck and Killed by Traffic on 710 Freeway

On Sept. 20, 2021, at approximately 5:34 a.m., officers responded to the area of the 710 Freeway and the 9th Street bridge regarding a possible traffic collision.

When officers arrived, they discovered a pedestrian believed to be a person experiencing homelessness in the roadway that had been struck and had succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary investigation revealed a male adult pedestrian was in the southbound 710 Freeway lanes of traffic under the 9th Street bridge when he was struck by a motor vehicle. A passerby on the freeway alerted the Police Department that a possible pedestrian was down in the roadway. Based on evidence at the scene, it was determined several other vehicles struck the pedestrian after the initial collision. None of the vehicles initially remained on scene.

During the investigation, several drivers believed to have struck the pedestrian after the initial collision contacted the Police Department to provide statements and cooperate with the investigation.

The initial vehicle that struck the pedestrian remains at large. At this time, there is no suspect vehicle description. 

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office responded, identified the pedestrian, and will assist with notifying next of kin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detectives Kelsey Myers or Shawn Loughlin of the Long Beach Police Department’s Collision Investigation Detail at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.