In Memory of Omar Tovar

A memorial of candles stands at Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Avenue in memory of Omar Tovar, 36, who was killed by a vehicle traveling westbound on PCH as he crossed the highway west of Golden, July 13. The driver cooperated with the investigation and speed, distracted driving and impaired driving do not appear to have contributed to this crash, according to police.

So far this year (up to Aug. 1), Long Beach saw 29 traffic fatalities. This does not include collisions where people are left injured, but survived. The most recent traffic fatality happened Aug. 1 when a woman and her dog crossed Atlantic Avenue north of 35th Street at around 9 p.m. when a southbound car collided with her, leaving the yet-to-be-named woman and dog dead.

A video appears on YouTube by Freedom News TV showing the deceased woman and dead dog but the police press release does not mention a dog. The driver cooperated with the investigation and speed, distracted driving and impaired driving do not appear to have contributed to this collision, according to police.

For the entire last year, 40 traffic fatalities occurred in the city.

The police remind pedestrians to be careful and use crosswalks, and for drivers to obey speed limits, focus on the road and put cell phones away.