Police looking for hit-and-run driver

Laguna Beach police are trying to find a wrong-way hit-and-run driver who allegedly struck an off-duty Orange County Firefighter at 12:55 a.m. Saturday at Brooks Street and South Coast Highway, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.

Witnesses told officers that the victim was crossing South Coast Highway, in a marked crosswalk, when a vehicle traveling southbound in a northbound lane struck him.

The victim, Luke Perisin, 38, of Dana Point, was thrown about 50 feet before landing in the roadway. Perisin is in Mission Hospital with broken bones and severe head injuries, but is in stable condition and expected to survive, Kravetz said Wednesday.

The suspect vehicle made no attempt to stop and continued southbound, police said.

Witnesses described the vehicle as possibly being a white, four-door, newer model Toyota Prius or Corolla.

This vehicle was last seen in the area of Nyes Place and South Coast Highway. It will have noticeable front-end damage and possibly a broken windshield.

The department is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect vehicle.

A witness attempted to follow the vehicle, but lost it in the area of Nyes Place and South Coast Highway when it turned off of the highway, Kravetz said.

“We are looking for any witnesses who might have seen a white-colored Toyota Prius or Corolla with front-end damage,” Kravetz said.

Anyone with information should call Kravetz at (949) 497-0307 or the watch commander at (949) 497-0359.