A suspected Long Beach drunken driver was in custody Monday after his vehicle allegedly killed a possibly homeless man in a wheelchair pushing a shopping cart with all his worldly belongings.
The deadly encounter took place in the Los Altos neighborhood of Long Beach, according to authorities.
The tragedy happened at 11:19 p.m. Saturday at Stearns Street and Radnor Avenue, said Long Beach police Lt. Shaleana Benson.
The man in the wheelchair was pushing a shopping cart of his belongings in an unmarked crosswalk when he was hit by a 2016 Honda Civic traveling westbound on Stearns Street, LBPD officials said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving measures performed by police and fire department personnel. His name was not released pending notification of relatives.
The driver of the Honda Civic was identified as 26-year-old Joseph Maez of Long Beach. He was arrested and booked for driving under the influence of alcohol and for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. He is being held on $100,000 bail.
Anyone with information regarding the collision was asked to contact Detective Shawn Loughlin or Detective Kelsey Myers of the Long Beach Police Department Collision Investigation Detail at 562-570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers.