Elderly Couple Hit by Car in Capistrano Beach; Die Later
An elderly Colorado couple holding hands as they walked across busy Old Coast Highway in Capistrano Beach were struck by a car Friday and died later at a hospital, both at 6:58 p.m., authorities said.
Leroy Lukes, 72, was airlifted to Mission Community Hospital in Mission Viejo, California Highway Patrol officials said. His wife, Mildred, 70, was taken by ambulance to the same hospital, where both died.
Walking to a Restaurant
The couple from Durango, Colo., were in Southern California to celebrate Christmas with their son, daughter and grandchildren, a CHP officer said. They were walking to a restaurant on the other side of the highway.
Accident investigators said the Lukes stepped into the southbound traffic lanes of Old Coast Highway at a blind spot in the roadway and could not see oncoming traffic. Investigators said the driver did not see them in time to stop.
The driver was not cited.
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.
