Costa Mesa police search for driver who killed 64-year-old pedestrian in hit-and-run

Costa Mesa Police are looking for a driver they believe killed a 64-year-old pedestrian Wednesday night in a hit-and-run collision near the intersection of Fairview Road and Baker Street.

The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m., when the woman was fatally struck while attempting to cross Fairview, just south of Baker, according to a release issued Thursday. The driver of the vehicle, described by witnesses as possibly a silver Toyota sedan, drove away from the scene.

The victim was identified by the coroner’s office as Linda Jean Lefler, of Costa Mesa, sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Todd Hylton confirmed Thursday. Lefler was not in a crosswalk when the collision occurred and died at the scene, according to CMPD spokeswoman Roxi Fyad.

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect vehicle and the driver. Officers believe that, based on evidence at the scene, the vehicle may have sustained moderate front-end damage as well as windshield damage, the release indicated.

Anyone with information or nearby businesses that may have video surveillance footage of the collision are asked to contact traffic investigator Luis Gomez at (714) 754-5264.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.