DANA POINT, CA – A 13-year-old boy was fatally struck Tuesday morning while walking to school, and authorities arrested a suspected drunk driver who fled the scene, the California Highway Patrol said.
The crash occurred around 8:15 a.m. as the victim and his brother stood on a traffic island near Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, close to the entrance of Doheny State Beach. The boys were on their way to school when tragedy struck.
Sky5 aerial footage from the scene at 11:30 a.m. showed a backpack and shoes visible at the intersection, which had been cordoned off with crime scene tape. The images painted a stark picture of the sudden violence that claimed the young student’s life.
Emergency responders transported the boy to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released pending notification of family members. The victim’s brother was not injured in the incident.
The driver fled the scene immediately after striking the boy, according to CHP officials. Authorities located the suspect two to three miles away from the crash site and took him into custody.
Video footage showed the suspect’s white GMC pickup truck stopped in nearby San Juan Capistrano. The vehicle had visible damage to the front end and driver’s side wheel, consistent with striking a pedestrian.
The suspect was identified as a 59-year-old man from Dana Point. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of a fatal crash. No further details about the driver were immediately released by authorities.
The California Highway Patrol asked motorists to avoid the area as investigators worked to reconstruct the collision and gather evidence. The intersection remained closed for several hours during the investigation.
The tragedy has shaken the Dana Point community, where parents now question the safety of routes children use to walk to school. Local officials have not commented on potential traffic safety improvements in the area.
DUI-related pedestrian fatalities continue to plague California roadways. According to state data, hundreds of pedestrians are killed each year in crashes involving impaired drivers, with children representing some of the most vulnerable victims.
The investigation is ongoing, and the district attorney’s office will review the case for potential criminal charges. The suspect could face vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run charges in addition to DUI-related offenses.
