23-year-old killed in New Year’s Day hit-and-run; suspect in custody
A San Clemente resident is in custody after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian and then fleeing the scene in Newport Beach early New Year’s Day.
Officers arrived at the collision site, at Pacific Coast Highway and Newport Coast Drive, about 3 a.m. There they found the body of 23-year-old Travis Marton. The Valencia resident was declared dead at the scene.
Ten minutes later, Laguna Beach police officers saw a car with a significant amount of damage and made a traffic stop. The motorist, Ronald Aviles, 56, is now being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at Newport Beach Police Department’s jail, pending a transfer to Orange County Jail.
Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, said Newport Beach police Sgt. Rachel Johnson.
“If there are any witnesses out there, we would like them to contact us,” Johnson said.
Twitter: @brittny_mejia
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
