Newport Beach hit-run: Man killed, suspect arrested

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A 23-year-old man was killed in a suspected hit-and-run accident in Newport Beach early Thursday morning.

The collision was reported shortly before 3 a.m. on the Pacific Coast Highway and Newport Coast Drive. All lanes in the area were briefly closed during the investigation. The victim was identified as Travis Marton from Valencia.

Within 10 minutes, Laguna Beach police stopped a vehicle with front-end collision damage and the driver was detained.

Newport Beach police determined the driver, identified as Ronald Aviles, was connected to the fatal hit-and-run and arrested him. Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, police said.

Aviles' bail was set at $50,000.

Marton's family released a statement on their loss, "Travis was an intelligent, wonderful, kind-hearted, young man with a very adventurous attitude. He had just finished his college education and was about to embark on an amazing life. We will miss him always."

The incident continued to be under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Bill Hume at 949-644-3746 or whume@nbpd.org.