Rideshare Driver Arrested After Fatal Hit-And-Run Leaves OC Woman Dead

COSTA MESA, CA — An Inland Empire rideshare driver was arrested Wednesday after he fatally struck a Costa Mesa woman with his vehicle at a Costa Mesa intersection before fleeing the scene, authorities said Thursday.

Officers were called to the scene at the intersection of Newport Boulevard and Harbor Boulevard shortly after 12:25 a.m. on Sunday, March 3.

Upon arriving, officers found a woman on Newport Boulevard with a life-threatening head injury, police said. Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue also responded and tried to keep the woman alive while moving her to the nearest trauma hospital.

On Wednesday, the woman — only identified as a Costa Mesa resident — succumbed to her injuries and died, police said. Her name was not released pending next-of-kin notification.

According to the Costa Mesa Police Department, the department's Major Accident Investigation's Team responded to the scene and found that the suspect driver was working in the area as a driver for a rideshare service when he hit the victim and fled the scene.

Through the investigation, police officers arrested 43-year-old Thomas Loranze Henry, of Ontario, on Wednesday. He was booked on vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run, police said.

No further information was immediately available.