Frederick “Ricky” Stuve, 50, Injured in Huntington Beach Hit-And-Run
Suspected Hit-and-run Driver, Chillandra Bell, 26, Arrested
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (July 26, 2021) – Deanna Stuve, 48, died, and her husband, Frederick “Ricky” Stuve, 50, was critically injured Sunday night in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.
The couple are both from Hemet in Riverside County, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. Deanna Stuve taught fourth grade at Cawston Elementary School in Hemet.
The collision happened about 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 25th at PCH and Newland Street, police said.
A driver in a black Nissan Altima reportedly ran a red traffic light before it struck the couple as they walked across Pacific Coast Highway in a marked crosswalk. She drove off a short distance before stopping. Deanna Stuve suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Meanwhile, her husband, An ambulance transported Frederick Stuve to a hospital where he remains in critical condition.
Meanwhile, the hit-and-run suspect allegedly abandoned her vehicle and fled. Witnesses told authorities a driver in a white vehicle picked her up nearby and left the crash scene.
Video surveillance and multiple witness statements helped police find the suspect. They eventually tracked down the suspect through the vehicle’s registered owner. They waited outside of a Huntington Beach residence until the suspect exited before they arrested her. However, police are still looking for the accomplice who helped her leave the scene.
Sadly, this is not the first time a pedestrian lost their life at this location at PCH and Newland Street.
DUI Suspect Chillandra Bell Arrested
Police arrested Chillandra Bell, 26, of Victorville and booked her on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and hit-and-run resulting in death or injury. The San Bernardino County woman was still in custody on $100,000 bail on Monday morning, police said. Also, she is scheduled to appear at Central Jail Court on Tuesday, July 27th, according to Orange County Jail Records.
The driver in the getaway vehicle remains at large.
Investigators seek to determine if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash, police said.
Witnesses may call police at 714-536-5670, or 714-536-5663. The family of Deanna and Ricky Stuve have created a Go Fund Me page to cover funeral costs and support the family’s medical needs.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. We do not intend to represent any of the parties. If you would like to contribute to this story or you have legal questions, please contact us.
