Driver accused in hit-and-run death of 75-year-old is due in court

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A man accused of killing a 75-year-old pedestrian crossing a Santa Ana street and fleeing the scene was due in an Orange County courtroom Tuesday.

Victor Manuel Arredondo Anaya, 27, has been charged with one felony count of hit-and-run causing death and one misdemeanor count each of vehicular manslaughter and driving on a suspended license, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

Authorities say Anaya, driving a BMW southbound on Orange Avenue toward Stanford Street about 6:30 a.m. Thursday, hit 75-year-old Miguel Ceja, who was crossing the street in a crosswalk.

Ceja was tossed onto the hood of the car, hit his head on the windshield, then struck the driver’s side mirror before tumbling into the door of a parked car, prosecutors say.

Anaya did not stop to help him, and Ceja was pronounced dead at the scene, prosecutors say. Police investigating the case followed up on a tip from a witness, who was driving near the intersection at the time of the crash. When Anaya was contacted by officers, police noted damage to Anaya’s vehicle that would be consistent with the incident.

Anaya is accused of driving on a suspended license stemming from a 2011 conviction from driving under the influence. If convicted, Anaya faces a maximum of four years in prison. He is being held on $50,000 bail.

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-- Nicole Santa Cruz