2 Men Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver

Two men delivering the New York Times were killed early Sunday when their car was broadsided at an intersection by a suspected drunk driver who had evaded a California Highway Patrol cruiser, police said.

Killed in the 1:40 a.m. crash were William R. Hagerman, 58, of Irvine and his passenger, Tan Van Nguyen, 52, of Westminster, authorities said.

Michael Edward Nelson, 31, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of two counts of vehicular manslaughter, felony drunk driving and evading arrest. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at the city jail, said Huntington Beach Police Lt. Larry Miller.

Hagerman’s family said he loved jazz and was an Eagle Scout and a doting grandfather of three and father of two. The couple had celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary Saturday, Patricia Hagerman said.

“It is a very sad thing,” said a grieving Patricia Hagerman. “I feel very sorry for [Nguyen’s] family.”

Patricia Hagerman said her husband was a real estate broker who also volunteered at HOME, an agency that raises money to help mentally ill people buy homes.

“He was a very caring person,” said his son, Mitchell. “All he wanted was to be with his family and friends. It’s really sad.”

Hagerman was also a part-time supervisor with the company that delivers the New York Times to home subscribers, said Stephen Johnson, a co-worker. Hagerman supervised carriers in the area from Long Beach to Irvine for Publishers’ Circulation, Johnson said.

Hagerman was training Nguyen on a route that began in Santa Ana when they were killed, he said. Johnson described Hagerman as dedicated.

Hagerman, who has lived in Orange County since 1981, is also survived by his son, Mitchell, of Anaheim and his daughter, Laurie, of San Diego.

Nguyen’s relatives could not be reached Sunday.

Nelson, who was only slightly injured in the crash, was being chased by a CHP officer from the San Diego Freeway to southern Huntington Beach, where the officer lost sight of him, Miller said.

Miller said the CHP cruiser was chasing Nelson “when they lost him. It started as a chase but was not a chase at time of the accident.”

CHP officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.

The CHP began its pursuit of Nelson on the San Diego Freeway, where he was reportedly weaving, Miller said.

Nelson left the freeway southbound on Beach Boulevard, officials said.

CHP officers reported losing sight of the vehicle at Newland Street and Atlanta Avenue and asked for the help of a Huntington Beach police helicopter in finding the suspect, Miller said.

A few minutes later, the aircraft spotted the crash scene at Magnolia Street and Hamilton Avenue, in the city’s south end.

“Our preliminary investigation indicates high speed [also] was a factor in the accident,” Miller said.

Nelson was eastbound on Hamilton Avenue when he struck the vehicle driven by Hagerman. The intersection has a traffic light, Miller said.

The crash is under investigation.