Family seeking answers in Dana Point fatal hit-and-run

DANA POINT, Calif. (KABC) -- Laura Stewart and her husband David have been handing out flyers at the Monarch Bay Plaza in Dana Point - close to the intersection where their 22-year-old son Cole was hit and left to die alone on June 3.

"Somebody knows something and left our child dead on the road and we want answers," Laura said.

Authorities say the hit-and-run happened on Crown Valley Parkway near Seven Seas Drive in Dana Point between 3:30 and 4:15 in the morning as Cole was walking to a relative's home.

Authorities say so far they have no suspect information but believe the vehicle involved will have noticeable damage, possibly to the front or side of the vehicle, or perhaps a cracked windshield.

Investigators say they are looking at security video for any clues.

"We've continued to review and collect video throughout the area but again we don't have any information to go on as far as exactly what happened," said Orange County Sheriff's Lt. Mark Stichter.

Early Wednesday afternoon Cole's family gathered in Dana Point with his friends - most knew him since elementary school. They posted information flyers on business windows, hoping someone will come forward.

"He just was the light of our family," recalled Cole's 25-year-old sister Natalia. "He was so funny - all the stories he would tell, he would make everybody laugh, it was awesome to be around him."

His family says Cole was an avid snowboarder and musician. He was transferring to Cal State Fullerton, taking classes at Saddleback College and close to his family.

Cole was the middle child. He has a younger brother, Connor.

"He was living with my parents and taking care of them. My father has cancer and my mother is very feeble so he was taking care of them," said Laura. "He was a fabulous human being and we miss him terribly. We'll miss him for the rest of our lives."

"Our family will never be the same, but at least with some answers we can find some closure in that," said Natalia, as tears rolled down her cheeks.

That closure would be not just for themselves, but for the person responsible.

"We would like to reach out to the person who hit Cole," said Cole's father David. "This has to be weighing heavily on their heart and will weigh on their conscience forever."

Cole would have turned 23 on July 27.

You can provide information anonymously by calling OC Crime stoppers 1-855-TIPOCCS.