A 71-year-old man is dead after a hit-and-run collision in Dana Point, California, and the driver now faces serious charges. The incident unfolded on Friday, November 7th, near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Dana Point Harbor Drive, shattering a peaceful afternoon.
Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived to find Barry William Tutt of La Verne severely injured. Despite immediate transport to a local hospital, Tutt tragically succumbed to his injuries. The initial investigation revealed a silver Ford sedan struck the pedestrian before fleeing the scene.
Witness accounts proved crucial, leading deputies to locate and arrest Humberto Munoz Gatica, 57, of Laguna Niguel. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence causing death or bodily injury, and hit-and-run offenses with the same potential consequences.
The case took a disturbing turn with the revelation of Gatica’s history. He is a Mexican national with an active deportation order dating back to 2012, according to sources within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Gatica was initially arrested by ICE in 2011 for being in the United States illegally. He was released with a court appearance notice, but failed to show up, triggering the deportation order issued in his absence. For years, he remained a fugitive, living within California.
This wasn’t Gatica’s first encounter with the law. Records show a 2011 arrest for robbery in Orange County. However, he ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of grand theft and received a sentence of only ten days in jail.
The investigation continues to uncover the full sequence of events leading to Tutt’s death, and the circumstances surrounding Gatica’s prolonged status as a fugitive. The tragedy has ignited renewed scrutiny of policies regarding immigration enforcement and the consequences of released offenders.
The loss of Barry William Tutt has deeply impacted the community, leaving behind a void for family and friends. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the complexities surrounding immigration and public safety.
