Orange County Sheriff's Office Seeking Tips in Yesterday's Fatal Hit and Run [VIDEO]

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA—What began as a vehicle theft from a Santa Ana tow yard on Monday ended in a fatal mountain road collision, with driver still at large. A dark colored Honda sedan was stolen from a Santa Ana lot. It was on the hilly roads of Mojeska Canyon, Silverado area where the stolen car collided with a motorcycle bearing two riders--a man and woman. The Honda's driver left the scene. Orange County Sheriff's Department searching for the hit and run driver of the stolen car.

"The initial accident occurred on Santiago Road, between Mojeska Grade and Mojeska Canyon," Orange County Sheriff's Department Lt. Mark Stichter said. "The male rider was pronounced dead at the hospital. The female on the same motorcycle is seriously injured."

Drew Ketter, of Midway City, California was taken to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, in Mission Viejo where he was pronounced dead. The name of the female rider has not been released, however social media reports state that his wife was riding with him at the time of the accident.

The Honda was found in a grassy ditch near the accident scene. The driver remained at large through Tuesday and OC Sheriff’s Department has asked anyone who might have seen the collision or the driver to contact authorities immediately.

“We did an extensive search of the area pretty quickly after the call went out, so if there was any chance that he was ejected or thrown from the vehicle we would have found him by now,” Stichter said. “We believe he fled the area.”

The Honda was reported stolen from a Santa Ana tow yard. OCSD released a surveillance video clip via social media that shows a man circling and getting into the vehicle at the yard. Deputies hope someone recognizes the man and comes forward. Knowing this person’s identity might help investigators resolve who was driving the car at the time of the crash.

A video of a "person of interest" surfaced at just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday when the Orange County Sheriff's Department sent a video request for assistance to the public at large. A dark haired, sunglasses wearing man, spotted in the below video, is seen walking around a dark colored sedan holding a folded up paper bag. After a few moments, he opens the hood.

"This is all the information we are releasing at present," Stichter said.

The tip line remains open, 949-425-1860

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team is open for any additional information at 949-425-1860 or anonymously at 1-855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).

Photos, courtesy Orange County Fire Authority, Capt. Larry Kurtz.