Heartbreaking: PCH Victim Turned 21 The Day She Died

Update:

A driver got out of her car on the side of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu Tuesday and was killed -- on her 21st birthday -- by a hit-and- run motorist, who was arrested in Agoura Hills a short time later, authorities said.

The Van Nuys resident, whose name was withheld pending family notification, was struck about 5:40 a.m. on the north shoulder area of Pacific Coast Highway, just east of Zuma View Place. She died at the scene, according to sheriff’s officials from the Malibu/Lost Hills Station.

Three friends who were in the car with the victim provided authorities with a description of the hit-and-run vehicle, said sheriff’s Lt. James Royal. Deputies arrested Pablo Carranza, 25, of Pacoima, a short time later near Kanan Road and the Ventura (101) Freeway. He was booked on suspicion of felony hit- and-run and was being held on $25,000 bail, Royal said.

It was unclear why the woman pulled over and got out of the car. The roadway shoulder is very narrow at that location, and officials cautioned people to be careful when stopping and getting out of their vehicles.

Both northbound lanes of PCH were closed while an investigation was conducted. One lane of the lanes reopened 2 1/2 hours later, and the other reopened by early this afternoon.

Update:

A young woman got out of a car stopped on the side of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu today and was killed by a hit-and-run motorist, who was arrested in Agoura Hills a short time later, authorities said.

The Van Nuys resident, who reportedly turned 21 on Monday, was struck about 5:40 a.m. on northbound Pacific Coast Highway at Ramirez Canyon Road. She died at the scene, according to sheriff’s officials from the Malibu/Lost Hills Station.

Authorities withheld her name, pending family notification.

Three other people who were in the car with the victim provided authorities with a description of the hit-and-run vehicle, said sheriff’s Lt. James Royal.

The motorist, a 25-year-old man, was arrested at Kanan and Agoura roads in Agoura Hills, authorities said. His name was not immediately released.

It was unknown why the woman got out of the car, and it was unclear if she was the driver or a passenger, Royal said.

The roadway shoulder is very narrow at that location, and officials cautioned people to be careful when stopping and getting out of their vehicles.

Both northbound lanes of PCH were closed while an investigation was conducted. One lane of the lanes was reopened about 2 1/2 hours later.

Update:

A pedestrian was struck and killed today in Malibu, and the hit-and-run motorist was arrested in Agoura Hills a short time afterward, authorities said.

The 21-year-old Van Nuys woman died at the scene of her injury, which occurred about 5:40 a.m. on northbound Pacific Coast Highway at Ramirez Canyon Road, said sheriff’s Sgt. Philip Brooks of the Malibu/Lost Hills Station. Authorities withheld her name, pending family notification.

The motorist, in his 20s, was arrested at Kanan and Agoura roads in Agoura Hills, Brooks said. His name was not immediately released.

Earlier:

Both northbound lanes of PCH were closed while an investigation was conducted. One lane of the lanes was reopened about two and a half hours later, the sheriff’s department reported.

A pedestrian was struck and killed today in Malibu, and the hit-and-run motorist was arrested a short time later, authorities said.

The woman, in her early 20s, died at the scene of her injury, which occurred about 5:40 a.m. on northbound Pacific Coast Highway at Ramirez Canyon Road, said sheriff’s Sgt. Philip Brooks of the Malibu/Lost Hills Station. Authorities withheld her name, pending family notification.

The motorist was arrested near the accident scene. His name was not immediately released.

Both northbound lanes of PCH were closed while an investigation was conducted.

--City News Service; Photo Patch Archive

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