Man dies after being struck by car

Greg Risling

A 66-year-old Costa Mesa man died at Hoag Hospital on Tuesday night, a

week after he was struck by a motorist who was backing out of her

driveway.

Hideaki Tochikubo died from injuries suffered on Feb. 1 while he was

gardening in an upscale Corona del Mar neighborhood. His death surprised

Newport Beach police who had investigated what appeared to be a minor

traffic accident.

“It was very unexpected,” said Newport Beach police Sgt. Mike McDermott.

“We thought this was a routine traffic injury.”

Apparently, the injury was severe unbeknownst to police officers.

Tochikubo was working near the intersection of Way Lane and Fernleaf

Avenue, an area known for its narrow streets. Police said he was using a

leaf blower and didn’t hear or see the vehicle coming his way.

Jennifer Wagner, 26, of Corona del Mar, probably didn’t see Tochikubo

working in the street, police said.

She backed her 1996 Ford Explorer and hit the diminutive Tochikubo. When

police arrived, the victim was conscious and had suffered a bloody nose

and abrasions on his arms.

Tochikubo was taken to Hoag Hospital where he remained alert. However, he

underwent surgery for his head injury. He died at about 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The Orange County Coroner’s Department will conduct an autopsy in the

coming days.

Neither the victim’s family nor Wagner could be reached for comment.

McDermott said traffic investigators are delving further into the case.

Wagner may be cited for a traffic violation, pending the outcome of the

investigation. Police have ruled out vehicular manslaughter.