Crime & Safety

Mission Viejo Man Arrested, DUI Suspected in Fatal Hit and Run

A cyclist is dead today following a hit and run accident on PCH, and police arrested a 27-year-old man suspected in the accident at the site of a second crash soon after Seal Beach.

A 27-year-old Mission Viejo main is in custody tonight following a hit and run accident that killed a Huntington Beach bicyclist on PCH today.

Huntington Beach Police arrested Joel Alexander Murphy on suspicion of felony hit and run, driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter and violating his probation.

Roger Michael Lippman, 63, of Huntington Beach, died at the scene of the accident at 11:41 this morning on PCH between Seapoint Street and Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach. According to police, witnesses saw the driver flee the scene in a silver Hyundai with a shattered windshield. Shortly after, Seal Beach Police responded a report of an accident at Westminster Boulevard and Kitts Highway.

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“The Huntington Beach Police Department provided surrounding jurisdictions with the description of the outstanding suspect vehicle,” according to a department release. “Seal Beach Officers discovered their vehicle matched the description of our suspect vehicle, and Huntington Beach Police Officers responded for further investigation.”

Murphy was later arrested and booked at the Huntington Beach city jail.

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The investigation is ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714-960-8825.


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