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 injury, and for hit-and-run offenses.
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, prompting a judge to order his deportation in absentia. For over a decade, he remained at large, living as a fugitive within California.
Prior to the fatal collision, Gatica had a previous arrest for robbery in Orange County in 2011. However, he ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of grand theft and served only ten days in jail.
Investigators are now focusing on whether Gatica was driving under the influence at the time of the collision that claimed Barry Tutt’s life. The tragedy has ignited renewed scrutiny of policies regarding the release of individuals facing deportation.
