Long Beach
Police Department

UPDATE 1/29/26:

Collision Investigation detectives have arrested the suspect responsible for the December 2024 hit-and-run collision, which resulted in the death of 78-year-old Nikki Rash.

Through their investigation, including an extensive review of security camera footage and use of Automatic License Plate Reader technology, detectives identified the suspect as Mario Jesus Escobar Acosta, a 59-year-old resident of Woodland.

On January 26, 2026, he was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in the city of Sacramento. He was transported to Long Beach City Jail where he was booked for hit-and-run resulting in death/injury. His bail is set at $50,000.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Collision Investigation Detail Detective Ashley Van Holland at (562) 570-7355.  Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 TIPS" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

UPDATE 1/6/2025:

Collision Investigation detectives are seeking the public’s help in solving a hit-and-run traffic collision that occurred on Dec. 26, 2024, which resulted in the death of a female adult driver.

On Jan. 4, 2025, the driver succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. She was identified as Nikki Rash, a 78-year-old resident of Long Beach.

At this time, distracted driving on the part of the suspect is being investigated as a possible factor in the collision.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision and can identify the driver is asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Ashley Van Holland at (562) 570-7355.  Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 TIPS" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

Originally Published 12/31/2024:

Photo of suspect vehicle
(Click on image to enlarge)

Collision Investigation detectives are seeking the public’s help in solving a hit-and-run traffic collision that occurred on Dec. 26, 2024, which resulted in serious injuries to a female adult.

On December 26, at approximately 4:45 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of California Avenue and San Antonio Drive regarding a hit-and-run traffic collision.  

Upon arrival, officers located a female adult driver involved in a vehicle collision. The driver declined medical treatment at the scene; however, she was self-transported to a medical facility a few hours after the incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a tan Toyota Avalon was traveling eastbound on San Antonio Drive when it ran the red light at California Avenue and collided with the victim’s vehicle. The driver briefly got out of his car, then got back in and fled the scene. 

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision and can identify the driver is asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Ashley Van Holland at (562) 570-7355.  Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 TIPS" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.