Long Beach Man Charged With Murder In 100 MPH Crash That Sent Woman's Car Into Wetlands

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder for a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a Huntington Beach woman in April, authorities said.

Long Beach resident Lukas McHargue is suspected of driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of the crash in Huntington Beach on April 15, the Huntington Beach Police Department said in a statement.

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The crash happened at around 10:40 p.m. on Pacific Coast Highway south of Warner Avenue.

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According to police, McHargue's car rear-ended another vehicle and sent it crashing into the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. The car overturned and trapped the driver inside, police said.

Heather Lewis, 53, died from her injuries shortly after being rescued from her vehicle, authorities said.

According to investigators, McHargue was driving more than 100 miles per hour shortly before the crash — more than double the posted speed limit.

McHargue had also consumed alcohol and marijuana, police said.

"The investigation further uncovered evidence that McHargue had been repeatedly warned that impaired driving could kill someone." Huntington Beach Police Spokesperson Jessica Cuchilla said. "He had personally acknowledged that risk."

Under California law, a DUI-related death may be charged as murder when there is evidence that the driver had knowledge that impaired driving is dangerous to human life, she said.

McHargue was arrested more than a month later on July 15 in Oceanside, police said. He was booked at the Orange County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

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"Driving in excess of 100 miles per hour, at more than double the posted speed limit and with an alcohol level more than double the legal limit is not an accident," Huntington Beach Police Chief Eric Parra said. "This was a series of reckless choices that ended an innocent woman's life."

Anyone with information regarding the investigation was urged to contact the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714-536-5231.