A pedestrian struck by a vehicle Tuesday evening was the fifth person in Long Beach to die in a traffic collision in the past five days, according to authorities.
The latest deadly crash happened around 6:25 p.m. near Artesia Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, according to police.
Police said the pedestrian was standing in the roadway and wasn’t in a crosswalk. They noted he was wearing a a dark jacket and blue jeans. An 18-year-old driving a GMC Yukon saw the pedestrian and tried to swerve to avoid hitting him; nevertheless, the left front portion of the SUV hit the man, police said.
The SUV was going about 35 mph on westbound Artesia before the crash, according to authorities. The impact sent the pedestrian across the median and into the eastbound lanes of Artesia where another vehicle hit him, police said.
“Both drivers stopped, administered aid to the pedestrian, and cooperated with the investigation of the collision,” police said. “There is no indication that distracted driving or inattention played a role in the collision. DUI or impairment also do not appear to be factors in the collision. Both drivers had valid licenses and proof of insurance.”
Authorities haven’t publicly identified the pedestrian, who died at the scene, according to police.
Since Sunday, Jan. 31, there have been five separate deadly crashes in Long Beach, an unusually high number in such a short amount of time. However, the total number of traffic deaths so far is roughly comparable to last year, police said.
There have been seven death in seven different crashes so far this year. At the same point in 2019, there’d been six, police said.
The recent spate of crashes, including Tuesday’s in North Long Beach, have been spread throughout the city:
- On the night of Friday, Jan. 31, a man was killed while crossing the street at Redondo Avenue and Hill Street near Signal Hill.
- On the evening of Sunday, Feb. 2, a 56-year-old woman, who police suspect was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, crashed into a parked car and died after being ejected from her vehicle, the LBPD said.
- The same night, a pedestrian was hit and killed by at least one vehicle while he was crossing Pacific Coast Highway at Caspian Avenue in West Long Beach.
- On Monday, Feb. 3, a man speeding the wrong way on Harbor Scenic Drive near the Port of Long Beach was killed when he lost control and crashed into a pole and trees, police said. Investigators also suspect drugs or alcohol were a factor in that wreck.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Wednesday morning with more details from police.