Laguna Niguel Man Arrested in Connection With Skateboarder Hit-And-Run

Orange County sheriff’s investigators arrested a Laguna Niguel man Saturday night they suspect is the driver responsible for the hit-and-run death of a 23-year-old man riding a skateboard who was struck in San Juan Capistrano and died 35 minutes later at a hospital.

Andrew Christopher Michaels, 19, was arrested at about 9:30 p.m. in connection with the death of the man identified by the coroner’s office as Cesar Medina of San Juan Capistrano. said Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The crash occurred at 10:15 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Del Obispo Street and Paseo Carolina, Hallock said.

“This evening, investigators obtained information that led them to Michaels’ residence,” he said. “When deputies arrived, they located a Dodge Ram truck parked in the driveway believed to be the vehicle that struck the victim.”

“A short time later, Michaels contacted Sheriff’s deputies at the station and following an interview with investigators Michaels was arrested.’’

The Dodge Ram truck was towed and will be processed for additional evidence. Michaels was arrested for felony hit and run and will be booked into the Orange County Jail, Hallock said.

“It appears based on witness statements and evidence collected at the scene, Medina was struck in the crosswalk as he crossed from the south to the north side of Del Obispo,’’ he said. ”All initial witness accounts indicate Medina was crossing on a green light (walk sign).’’

Paramedics rushed Medina to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m. Friday, according to the coroner’s office.

Bail was initially set at $100,000 but has since been increased to $500,000.

Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run fatality was asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000.

-City News Service; mugshot via Orange County Sheriff’s Dept.