Long Ta, 34, Killed in Fountain Valley Hit-and-Run at Edinger and Ward
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA (September 14, 2021) – Long Kim Ta, 34, of Santa Ana, was killed after a hit-and-run crash at Edinger Avenue and Ward Street in Fountain Valley.
Police identified the Santa Ana man as the victim of the fatal collision which occurred on Saturday morning.
UPDATE (Sept. 21, 2023): David Stephen Kennedy II, 60, of Huntington Beach, was later convicted of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Jurors deadlocked in a 7 to 5 vote for acquittal on a felony count of hit and run with permanent injury.
Meanwhile, David Kennedy is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 6 for the misdemeanor. The crime has a one-year maximum punishment. However, Deputy District Attorney Chris Cook intends to pursue a retrial on the felony charge with a hear scheduled for Nov. 9.
The incident happened when Long Ta was crossing Edinger Avenue northbound at the Ward Street intersection in Fountain Valley. He was in a crosswalk with a green walk signal at the time.
Police said a vehicle going east on Edinger allegedly ran a red a red light for an unknown reason. In the process, the driver struck the pedestrian.
Pedestrian Hit by Minivan in Crosswalk
Firefighters along with the paramedics soon arrived at the scene and found the victim left lying on the ground. Long Ta sustained major injuries as a result of the Fountain Valley crash.
Medical personnel then rushed him to a hospital, where he died on Monday. The Orange County Register and My News LA wrote that the accident took place on September 11 at around 6:20 a.m.
Meanwhile, police affirmed that the motorist did not stop to help the victim and fled westbound on Edinger. They described the car as a dark-colored 1991 to 1995 Dodge or Chrysler minivan.
The suspect was later located in a parking lot at Fountain Bowl.
Anyone with information can call the police at 714-593-4481.
“Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above; nor is it our intent to represent any of the parties. If you would like to contribute to this story, please contact us.”
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