Skateboarder Killed In San Juan Capistrano Hit-And-Run, Suspect Arrested
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO (CBSLA.com) — A 23-year-old skateboarder was struck and killed in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night by a hit-and-run driver in a faded black pickup truck, authorities said on Saturday.
The 23-year-old man was identified by the coroner's office as Andy Medina, aka Cesar.
The crash occurred at 10:15 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Del Obispo Street and Paseo Carolina, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.
The pickup truck was going eastbound on Del Obispo Street when it struck Medina at the intersection, authorities said.
Paramedics rushed him to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. Friday, according to the coroner's office.
On Saturday evening, police announced the arrest of a suspect.
Authorities said 19-year-old Andrew Christopher Michaels of Laguna Niguel was arrested around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. His Dodge truck was also impounded for further evidence.
Michaels was arrested for felony hit-and-run and was booked into Orange County Jail.
In a strange twist of fate, Medina was brought to the same hospital where his sister works in registration.
On Saturday evening, KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner spoke to the victim's older sister who was on duty when her brother was brought in.
"People don't come back when they already show up code blue," said Jenifer Medina, "They're gone."
Co-workers realized the victim was related to their friend.
"They picked me up off the floor, and put me in a room," said a tearful Jenifer, "And I was like is he gone? Is he gone? And they told me. He's gone."
Friends and family told Kastner that Andy had his life on track. He had a supportive new girlfriend and was going back to school to get his GED.
Family has this message for the driver who didn't stop to help.
"At that moment," said his sister, "you chose to end his life. And you have to live with that."
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses. Click here for more information.
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