Long Beach, California (April 5, 2026) — A 49-year-old woman was killed early Sunday morning in a hit-and-run crash in Long Beach, according to police.
Officials identified the deceased as Heaven Hooper.
The crash happened at about 4:00 a.m. near Ninth Street and Fashion Avenue.
Incident Details: According to the Long Beach Police Department, a white Toyota Tacoma was traveling westbound on Ninth Street when it struck Hooper as she was in the roadway outside of a crosswalk. Police said the driver did not stop and fled the scene.
Long Beach Fire Department paramedics took Hooper to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Authorities are now asking for the public’s help in identifying the driver involved in the crash.
At this stage, public reporting has not provided additional details about the driver, why Hooper was in the roadway, or whether investigators have located the vehicle.
Investigation: In a crash like this, investigators will likely focus first on identifying the white Toyota Tacoma and the driver. That process may include reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses, gathering witness statements, and examining any debris or physical evidence left at the scene.
Investigators will also likely examine visibility, speed, lighting conditions, and the driver’s opportunity to see Hooper before impact. Because police said she was outside a crosswalk, investigators may also examine her position in the roadway and the surrounding conditions at the time of the collision. Even so, the driver’s decision to flee the scene is a serious part of the case. This is the kind of collision that calls for a full accounting of what happened and why.
Legal Considerations: Fatal hit-and-run pedestrian crashes often raise serious civil liability issues once the driver is identified. Even where a pedestrian was outside of a crosswalk, that does not automatically end the legal analysis. Questions may remain about speed, driver attention, visibility, and whether the collision could have been avoided.
In hit-and-run cases, early evidence preservation can be especially important because vehicle damage, video footage, and witness recollections may become harder to secure over time. If the driver is found, a civil case may also help uncover details that are not immediately available in early public reporting.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the Hooper family may file a wrongful death lawsuit. This legal claim enables them to recover compensation for both financial burdens, such as funeral and burial expenses, and lost income, as well as for intangible losses, including the deprivation of affection, partnership, support, and guidance.
My deepest condolences go out to Heaven’s loved ones and family during this challenging time.
Source: CBS Los Angeles