A driver got out of her car on the side of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu today and was struck and killed — on her 21st birthday — by a vehicle whose driver was arrested in Agoura Hills a short time later.
Melanie Quinonez of Panorama City was struck about 5:40 a.m. on the north shoulder area of Pacific Coast Highway, just east of Zuma View Place. Quinonez died at the scene, according to officials from the sheriff’s Malibu/Lost Hills Station.
Quinonez’s name was released tonight by the coroner’s office.
Three friends who were in the car with Quinonez provided authorities with a description of the hit-and-run vehicle, said sheriff’s Lt. James Royal.
Deputies arrested Pablo Carranza, 25, of Pacoima, a short time later near Kanan Road and the Ventura (101) Freeway. He was booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and was being held on $25,000 bail, Royal said.
It was unclear why the woman pulled over and got out of the car. The roadway shoulder is very narrow at that location, and officials cautioned people to be careful when stopping and getting out of their vehicles.
Both northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway were closed while an investigation was conducted. One lane of the lanes reopened 2 1/2 hours later, and the other reopened by early this afternoon.
