Pedestrian Gravely Hurt in Hit-Run

ORANGE — A 32-year-old Turkish citizen was near death Wednesday after being struck by a car while walking across La Veta Avenue. Police said Ferhan Polat, who was identified by a passport he was carrying, was crossing at Devon Road about 6.30 p.m. Tuesday, when he was hit by a 1983 light blue Toyota traveling west on La Veta.

The car did not stop, police said, but a witness chased it, took down the license number and then called police, according to Lt. Art Romo.

That information led to the arrest of Can Phuoc Nguyen, 23, of Orange on suspicion of felony hit and run. He was booked into Theo Lacy Jail in Orange, and his bail was set at $10,000.

Polat, who was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana with head, chest and internal injuries, was reported in grave condition Wednesday night, according to hospital spokeswoman Cathy Murino Cunningham.