SBPD Reports

Hit-and-run suspect arrested

A man was arrested after leading officers on a short vehicle pursuit that ended in a Seal Beach neighborhood.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, just after 9 p.m., the Seal Beach Police Department responded to the area of Westminster Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard regarding a hit and run traffic collision that had just occurred in the neighboring city of Westminster. The victim called the Seal Beach Police Department after the suspect rear-ended her vehicle just outside of Seal Beach city limits. The suspect refused to remain at the collision and fled the scene in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. The victim followed the suspect in her vehicle and called 9-1-1 as they entered Seal Beach.

Officers responded to the area and quickly located the victim and suspect vehicle at the intersection of Island Village Drive and Westminster Avenue. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the suspect failed to yield, leading officers on a vehicle pursuit.

The suspect drove into a Seal Beach neighborhood with only one entrance and exit.

With nowhere else to run, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident near the area of First Street and Welcome Lane. Neither the victim nor the suspect were injured.

The suspect driver was identified as Eric Wilkinson, 65, of Seal Beach.

He was charged with evading, driving under the influence, hit and run, and driving with a suspended license. Wilkinson also had an outstanding $100,000 Los Angeles County warrant for his arrest. He was later transported to the Los Angeles County Jail for booking.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective J. Gibson at (562) 799-4100, ext. 1109, or jgibson@sealbeachca.gov.

Pedestrian accident results in fatality on SB Boulevard

The Seal Beach Police Department is seeking information in an ongoing investigation into a pedestrian fatality on Oct. 29.

A pedestrian who was reportedly walking in the roadway died after being struck by a passing vehicle at about 6:30 p.m..

Seal Beach police responded to Adolfo Lopez Drive and Seal Beach Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive adult female who had been struck by a car.

Officers immediately began lifesaving efforts and the victim was transported to a local hospital; however, the pedestrian succumbed to her injuries.

The Serious Traffic Accident Response (STAR) Team responded to investigate the collision.

A preliminary investigation revealed the woman was walking in the northbound lanes of traffic when she was struck by multiple vehicles.

The involved drivers were uninjured, remained at the scene and are cooperating with investigators.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Traffic Investigator Officer Cory Montgomery at (562) 799-4100, ext. 1623, or cmontgomery@sealbeachca. gov.

—from the SBPD