Police looking for driver

Police are seeking the public’s help in finding the driver of a white SUV that hit a man in Newport Beach and drove off, leaving the victim near death.

Just before 2 a.m. Sunday, police received a call about a hit-and-run at Placentia Avenue and Hospital Road in Newport Beach, next to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

According to police, the white SUV, described as possibly a Ford Explorer, hit a pedestrian working on a disabled vehicle in the right lane of westbound Hospital Road.

The SUV didn’t stop and left the man there, suffering from head and internal injuries, police said. The man was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana and remains in critical condition, police said.

Medical personnel generally assess a person’s injuries on-scene and determine where to send them. The man was probably sent to Western Medical Center because they have a trauma center, Lt. Craig Fox said.

The car that hit the pedestrian will likely have right front damage, officials said.

The car’s right front-turn assembly was ripped away, and it could have damage to the right fender, grill, hood and windshield, police said.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or vehicle is urged to call the Police Department’s traffic division at (949) 644-3717 or Det. Bill Beverly at (949) 644-3747. Beverly’s e-mail address is [email protected].

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].