Man Killed By Boat-Hauling Truck On Newport Blvd.

COSTA MESA, CA — A fatal collision in Costa Mesa has claimed at least one life, the Costa Mesa Police Department stated Tuesday. Just before midnight on Monday, Jan. 1, Costa Mesa officials responded to Newport Boulevard and 17th Street where a Ford truck towing a boat struck and killed a man crossing the road. The driver remained on scene, according to reports.

The unidentified man was attempting to cross Newport Boulevard, north of 17th Street when he was hit by the truck, Costa Mesa police said. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Orange County Coroner's Office has withheld the man's identity, pending notification of next of kin, according to that office.

"The driver of the vehicle, as well as witnesses, remained at the scene and cooperated with officers," Costa Mesa Police information officers said.

"The Costa Mesa Police Major Accident Investigation Team was activated and Newport Boulevard was closed off between 17th and 18th Street for several hours before it was reopened," they said. The road was open to traffic again by 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Costa Mesa police Sgt. Patrick Wessel stated that the pedestrian, pronounced dead at the scene, was crossing the street outside a crosswalk when he was hit.

Neither alcohol nor drugs were believed to have been factors in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information about the fatal traffic collision is encouraged to contact CMPD Traffic Investigator Darren Wood at (714) 754-5264.

Costa Mesa Fire Department photo