Traffic Fatality – Harvey Way & Bellflower Blvd.

On March 28, 2019, at approximately 8:05 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Harvey Way and Bellflower Boulevard regarding a traffic collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian in a wheelchair, which resulted in the death of a male adult.

Officers arrived on scene and located a non-responsive 29-year-old male pedestrian lying in the roadway of northbound Bellflower Boulevard north of Harvey Way. The Long Beach Fire Department responded and transported the pedestrian to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The pedestrian's identification is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Officers also contacted a motorist who initially fled, but returned to the scene of the collision in his 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The driver was identified as 37-year-old Jesus Jorge Arias of Lakewood. Arias admitted to being involved in the collision.

The preliminary investigation revealed the collision occurred when Arias drove north on Bellflower Boulevard and proceeded through the intersection at Harvey Way. The wheelchair-bound pedestrian was attempting to cross Bellflower Boulevard eastbound in the crosswalk on the north side of the intersection when he was struck by Arias.

Arias was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.  Arias was placed under arrest and booked for DUI and hit and run and is being held on $100,000 bail. Arias did have a valid license.

Primary cause of the collision is unknown at this time.  We encourage anyone who may have information regarding this incident is asked to call Long Beach Police Department Collision Investigation Detail Detective David Whelan at (562) 570-7355.  Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visitingwww.lacrimestoppers.org.