Fatal Hit-and-Run on Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano; 85-Year-Old Driver Arrested
A pedestrian, Cesar Amilcar Zuniga Ruiz, 23, of Los Angeles, was killed in a hit-and-run at Ortega Highway and La Novia Avenue in San Juan Capistrano at about 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 17, 2026; Anthony Konstantine Kalomas, 85, of San Juan Capistrano was arrested the next day and booked on felony hit-and-run. As of Sept. 5 the OCDA had not announced a filing, arraignment date, or bail.
Victim: Cesar Amilcar Zuniga Ruiz, 23, of Los Angeles. Arrested: Anthony Konstantine Kalomas, 85, of San Juan Capistrano. Investigating agency: OCSD MAIT.
A pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit-and-run at Ortega Highway (SR-74) and La Novia Avenue; the driver fled and was arrested the following day.
Intersection of Ortega Highway and La Novia Avenue, San Juan Capistrano, near St. Margaret's Episcopal School.
Collision occurred approximately 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 17, 2026; suspect arrested Aug. 18, 2026.
Investigation ongoing; no motive or circumstance detail has been publicly released by OCSD.
The fatal hit-and-run investigation in San Juan Capistrano remains active. Anthony Konstantine Kalomas, 85, of San Juan Capistrano, remains booked into Orange County Jail on felony hit-and-run charges. As of the current refresh, the Orange County District Attorney has not publicly announced formal charges, and no arraignment date or bail status has been published. No new developments have been reported by authorities or media outlets since Aug. 20, 2026.
According to OCSD, deputies were flagged down to find an injured man in the roadway at the intersection of Ortega Highway (SR-74) and La Novia Avenue at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2026. The Orange County Fire Authority pronounced the victim — identified by OCSD as Cesar Amilcar Zuniga Ruiz, 23, of Los Angeles — dead at the scene. The driver had fled prior to deputies' arrival.
The intersection is a signalized T-intersection with marked crosswalks, situated near St. Margaret's Episcopal School and roughly half a mile east of Interstate 5, as reported by the OC Register.
OCSD identified and arrested Anthony Konstantine Kalomas, 85, of San Juan Capistrano, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2026. He was booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run resulting in death or injury under California Vehicle Code 20001(a). No additional charges have been publicly announced. No DA filing, arraignment date, or bail information has been released.
OCSD's Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is handling the case. No further details regarding the vehicle, the specific circumstances of the collision, or Kalomas's condition have been released by authorities.
The public is encouraged to contact MAIT at (949) 425-1860 or OC Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS with any relevant information.
- Aug 17, 00:30(about 2 months ago)
Pedestrian Cesar Amilcar Zuniga Ruiz, 23, of Los Angeles is struck and killed at Ortega Highway and La Novia Avenue; the driver leaves the scene.
- Aug 18, 13:00(about 2 months ago)
OCSD arrests Anthony Konstantine Kalomas, 85, of San Juan Capistrano and books him on felony hit-and-run (VC 20001(a)).
- NEWabout 2 months ago
An 85-year-old man was arrested for a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in San Juan Capistrano. On Aug. 17, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department were in the area of Ortega Highway and La Novia Avenue when they spotted an injured man lying on the roadway just after 12:30 a.m.
- NEWabout 2 months ago
Fatal Traffic Collision in San Juan Capistrano, Driver Arrested for Hit-and-Run August 17, 2026 mccann.gerard Mon, 08/17/2026 - 15:53 Image news release website.jpg Body SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2026): On Monday, August 17, 2026, shortly after 12:30 a.m., deputies were in the area