The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) on Sept. 11 reported two traffic fatalities that had occurred within the last two weeks.
On Wednesday, Aug. 30, at approximately 7:40pm, officers were dispatched to the area of Santa Fe Avenue and Willow Street regarding a vehicle-versus-pedestrian traffic collision.
When officers arrived, they located an elderly male pedestrian in the street. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics transported him to a local hospital with major head and body trauma.
The preliminary investigation revealed he was walking eastbound across Santa Fe Avenue at Willow Street, in the marked south crosswalk, when he was struck by a 2009 Nissan Versa, travelling southbound on Santa Fe Avenue in the No. 1 lane.
Witnesses and video surveillance footage confirmed the pedestrian entered the crosswalk against a red light and the Nissan entered the intersection on a green light. The driver of the Nissan, a 35-year-old female resident of Long Beach, remained at the scene.
On Aug. 31, the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries. LBPD officials said they did not receive notification from the hospital and learned of his death on Sept. 11 when the LA County Coroner’s Office contacted them.
The deceased was identified as 72-year-old Roberto Venegas, a resident of Mexico who was in Long Beach visiting family.
Those who may have witnessed the collision are asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detective Sirilo Garcia at (562) 570-7355.
On Sunday, Sept. 10, at approximately 12:16pm, officers were dispatched to 4th Street and Obispo Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving a motorcycle.
When officers arrived, they discovered a male adult subject lying in the northeast parking lot at 4th Street and Obispo Avenue, with a motorcycle nearby. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics responded and determined the subject deceased at the scene.
The investigation revealed the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on 4th Street in the center divider, at a high rate of speed. The driver appeared to lose control of the motorcycle and clipped the back end of a 2007 Jeep Wrangler, traveling westbound on 4th Street in the No. 1 lane.  
It was determined the motorcyclist had recently purchased the motorcycle and did not have a motorcycle license endorsement. He is only being identified as a 47-year-old resident of Long Beach, pending notification of next of kin.
The driver of the Jeep, a 20-year-old female resident of Long Beach, remained at the scene and was questioned and released.
Source: LBPD
