1 of 4 Persons Struck by Car in Street Dies
One of four people hit by a car in a busy intersection died Wednesday, authorities said.
Luis Payno Rodriguez, 24, died at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo about 9:40 a.m. from head and internal injuries.
Rodriguez was injured Monday when a driver suspected of being drunk ran a red light and hit him and his friends at the corner of 19th Street and Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Tom Warnack said.
The suspect, Ciriaco Mendoza, had a blood alcohol level of .18, more than twice the legal limit of .08, according to Warnack.
Police have requested that charges against Mendoza be upgraded to include felony vehicular manslaughter in addition to felony hit and run and driving under the influence of alcohol, Warnack said.
Oscar Arrellanos, 35, of Costa Mesa, another injured pedestrian, was listed in critical condition Wednesday at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana. The two other people injured, Samuel Chavez Vasquez, 16, and Ramos Sosa Mardocheo, 23, both of Costa Mesa, remained in good condition at other hospitals.
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