San Juan Capistrano, California - 23-Year-Old Los Angeles Man Killed in Ortega Highway Hit-and-Run

San Juan Capistrano, California (August 17, 2026) - A 23-year-old Los Angeles man died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Ortega Highway early Monday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies said the crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on Highway 74, also known as the Ortega Highway, near La Novia Avenue.

Deputies arriving at the scene found the victim lying in the roadway. Orange County Fire Authority personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.

The Orange County Sheriff's Coroner identified him as Cesar Amilcar Zuniga Ruiz. Deputies said the driver who struck him did not remain at the scene.

Investigators identified the driver as Anthony Konstantine Kalomas of San Juan Capistrano. He was arrested Monday and booked for hit-and-run.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents in San Juan Capistrano, California

A pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk does not automatically determine fault. California follows a pure comparative fault standard (Civil Code § 1714), meaning a family may still recover compensation even if their loved one bore some responsibility for the crossing.

• What an arrest means: a criminal hit-and-run case and a civil wrongful death claim proceed on separate tracks
• What investigators examine: the arrested driver's insurance coverage, roadway lighting near La Novia Avenue, and vehicle damage consistent with the collision
• Even where the driver is identified, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on the victim's own policy can matter if the driver lacks adequate insurance

Under California law, wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death, or by August 17, 2028 (CCP 377.60).

Contact Our San Juan Capistrano Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Finding out a loved one was struck and left in the roadway, with the driver only identified after the fact, is a wound that doesn't heal on its own timeline.

Our Orange County wrongful death attorneys have recovered more than $200 million for families and take cases to trial when the insurance company won't offer what's fair.

An arrest doesn't resolve the civil case, so acting now to secure the police report and any dash cam or surveillance footage from along Ortega Highway matters.

We handle these cases on contingency. There is nothing to pay upfront and nothing owed unless we recover for your family.

Why Injured Clients Trust Christian Contreras Law

• $200M+ recovered for clients
• More than $30M recovered in 2025 alone
• Takes cases to trial with 7+ jury trials each year
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Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.