Crime & Safety

Have You Seen an SUV with Front Fender Damage?

Orange County Sheriff's deputies are hoping the public can help track down a hit-and-run driver who seriously injured a San Clemente teen.

Orange County Sheriff's deputies are hoping the public can help them identify the driver of an SUV that struck and severely injured an 18-year-old man in San Clemente Friday night.

The department released a photo today of the type of vehicle officials believe hit Alejandro Velasquez at around 11:48 p.m. Friday on Avenida Pico and Calle Frontera. 

"Evidence recovered by investigators, as well as witness statements, indicated a gold 2000-2006 GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Tahoe was involved in this hit and run.  The involved vehicle may have damage to its right front fender and may be missing the passenger side-view mirror and antenna," says the press release.

Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Bureau at 949-425-1886 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 714-647-7000.  Anonymous tips may also be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

For more than a day, Velasquez went unidentified as he lay in a coma at Mission Hospital. Witnesses to the accident reached out through Patch and local media to track down the family. 


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