Taxi strikes pedestrian in Costa Mesa

An Anaheim man was in critical condition Sunday after he was struck by a taxi on Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa, according to police.

The man, who has not been identified, was in the road near the crosswalk at Newport and 17th Street as the taxi drove south through a green light, according to a Costa Mesa Police Department news release.

The 70-year-old taxi driver, who lives in Fullerton, ran into the pedestrian just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the release.

The victim, 30, underwent initial surgery at the Western Medical Center in Santa Ana for treatment of a fractured skull and serious internal injuries. He was then transported to UCLA Medical Center.

Further information on the patient’s condition was not immediately available.

Police questioned and released the driver, who had been driving a 2013 Dodge Caravan and did not seem impaired by drugs or alcohol. Police say they are continuing to investigate.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall