5 seriously injured in Seal Beach hit-and-run crash; driver sought

SEAL BEACH, Calif. - A hit-and-crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach sent five people to the hospital with serious injuries, and authorities continue to search for the driver responsible.  

The crash happened around 7:14 p.m. Saturday, near the intersection of PCH and Main Street, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. 

According to police, a reckless driver was reported speeding northbound on PCH and hit another car with five people inside. The suspect's car ended up against a bus bench in front of the Chase bank at 801 PCH, police said, and that's when the suspect ran away into the Hill residential neighborhood, which borders on southwest PCH and to the east by Seal Beach Boulevard. 

Images from SkyFOX showed a silver four-door vehicle with at least one door off, spun around in the intersection. Several feet away, SkyFOX showed a tan pickup truck crashed into what appeared to be the bus bench. Both vehicles had suffered heavy damage.

All five crash victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. Two have since been released, while three others - all 17-year-old girls from Orange County - remain in the hospital in serious but stable condition, according to police. 

At this time authorities have not determined if alcohol or drugs were contributing factors in this crash. 

Roads in the area were closed as authorities conducted a search for the suspect but could not locate him; all roads have since reopened. 

The suspect is described as a man between 18 and 20-years-old, about 5'10", and was last seen wearing a maroon shirt. 

The investigation remains ongoing. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Traffic Investigator Officer James Dowdell at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1627 or jdowdell@sealbeachca.gov.