Woman struck in crosswalk still in a coma

A 35-year-old Tustin woman who was struck in a crosswalk on South Coast Highway Sept. 7 remains in a coma, Laguna Beach Police said Tuesday.

The incident took place around 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Calliope Street, where witnesses said a Honda Civic struck pedestrian Jennifer Parent in a marked crosswalk. The driver of the vehicle, Harold Stulberg, 76, of Sherman Oaks, was interviewed and released at the scene of the incident.

The victim was taken to Mission Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery for six and a half hours. She sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, numerous facial fractures, and abrasions and lacerations all over her body, police said in a press release.

The driver will not be charged with a crime, said Sgt. Jason Kravetz of the traffic division. “There was no malice; it was an accident,” he said. The incident is under investigation and police are trying to determine whether to issue a citation to the driver.