Police Seek Witnesses in Fatal 5 Freeway Hit and Run

Authorities asked the public today for help in identifying a motorist who fled following an accident that killed a pedestrian from Orange County last month on Interstate 5 on the outskirts of Camp Pendleton.

The victim, 21-year-old Noelle Vaughn of Aliso Viejo, was walking on the northbound side of the freeway near Aliso Creek Rest Area when a dark-colored van or SUV struck her on April 11 about 1 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Witnesses described Vaughn as appearing possibly disoriented as she wandered into the path of oncoming traffic.

Investigators believe the involved vehicle is a dark-colored van or SUV that sustained passenger-side damage, including a broken-off mirror, when it hit the young woman, CHP public-affairs Officer Jim Bettencourt said.

In the hours preceding her death, Vaughn had been socializing with friends in a barracks at the nearby Marine Corps base, and reportedly had gotten into an argument before leaving, Bettencourt said.

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City News Service

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