Pedestrian fatally struck in Santa Ana; driver accused of DUI

A pedestrian who was erratically crossing a Santa Ana street was killed and the driver who hit him was arrested on Tuesday, June 23, the Santa Ana Police Department said.

The collision involving a white four-door BMW was reported at 1:10 p.m. at Bristol Street and McFadden Avenue, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

The pedestrian, a man believed to be in his 30s, was “drifting around from side to side,” attempting to cross Bristol before reversing course, Bertagna said. The BMW driver, a man, was headed south on Bristol and went through the intersection on a green light before striking the pedestrian, Bertagna said.

It was not immediately clear whether the pedestrian was in a crosswalk, he said.

The driver, whose name was not immediately announced, was given a field sobriety test and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, Bertagna said.

“Had he not been driving under the influence, it would have been the pedestrian’s fault,” Bertagna said.

#SIGALERT #SAPDTraffic Fatal traffic collision – Auto vs Ped
in the area of Bristol St & McFadden Ave. Bristol St is closed in all directions from Bishop to Wilshire. McFadden Ave closed in all directions from Pacific to Shelton. Please stay away from this area #SAPDPIO #onscene

— SantaAnaPD (@SantaAnaPD) June 23, 2020

Officers continued to interview witnesses Tuesday afternoon. Ultimately, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office will determine what, if any, charges are filed.