A Seal Beach man was arraigned Friday, Augl. 11, on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter for killing a 19-year-old German tourist in December 2016.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s office, he was high on methamphetamine when the traffic fatality occurred.
On Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, Seal Beach Police detectives arrested Matthew Ryan Wood, 25, of Seal Beach, on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated in connection with a fatal December 2016 traffic collission.
Woods was also arrested on suspicion of transportation for sale of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.
He faces a maximum of 12 years in state prison.
According to the police, on Dec. 9, 2016, at approximately 1:40 p.m. a traffic collision occurred, which resulted in a fatality. The collision occurred on Westminster Avenue between Seal Beach Boulevard and Bolsa Chica Road. This portion of Westminster Avenue passes through the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. Preliminary investigation indicates that a pick-up truck driving east on Westminster Avenue passed over the painted center median into oncoming traffic and struck a minivan which was travelling westbound. The driver of the minivan was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the truck was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Investigators are looking into the possibility that drugs or alcohol are a factor in the collision.
After a lengthy investigation, the case was presented to the Orange County District Attorney and a warrant was issued for Woods’ arrest. A hearing has been scheduled for Friday, Sept. 8, according to the Orange County Superior Court website.
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Thursday, July 27
Vandalism Report—8:33 a.m.—Wisteria Street—The caller reported spraypaint on a city sidewalk.
Police unit 106 contacted a resident who claimed he didn’t know he couldn’t spraypaint the sidewalk.
A few details, including the resident’s name, were blacked out in the log. Report taken.
Suspicious Circumstances—6:54 p.m.—First Street—The caller said a man used a slim jim lock pick to get into a car. The caller didn’t know if he was the registered owner of the car. At 6:55 p.m., the caller was leaving the area. The caller told police the man in question was walking back toward the buildings at the location while carrying a black bag. A few details were blacked out in the log. Police unit 207 determined that the man who entered the car was indeed the registered owner. No further law enforcement services were required.
Friday, July 28
Traffic Accident—2:40 a.m.—Candleberry and Lampson—The caller said a car hit something, which police later determined was the center divider. The caller said the car was still there and a man was walking around the car. A few details were blacked out in the log. Police arrested Drake Schrock on suspicion of drunken driving.
Stray Animal—7:34 a.m.—First Street—The caller said a dog was chasing people on the beach. The caller didn’t know if the animal was aggressive or not. The caller also didn’t know who the dog belonged to. Police were unable to locate the dog.
Car Burglary—8:45 a.m.—Sunflower Circle—Point of entry: the suspect apparently tampered with a window. Loss: car seats. The crime apparently occurred on July 24. A few details were blacked out in the log. Report taken.
Welfare Check—5:52 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller said a drunk man was passed out at the door of the location. He was breathing. A few details were blacked out in the log. Police unit 241 interviewed him in the field.
Arrest—7:25 p.m.—Clipper Way—The caller, a man, said he was bleeding and that he had been assaulted. He reported that a chair had been thrown at him and that another person had been physical with him. Many details were blacked out in the log. Police arrested Lynda Freyre on suspicion of felony domestic violence.
Saturday, July 29
Traffic Stop—1:11 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway and 25th Street (in Huntington Beach)—Seal Beach Police unit 241 stopped a car. Some details were blacked out of the log. Police arrested Marjorie Handshuh on suspicion of drunken driving.
Transient—3 p.m.—Coastline an Driftwood—The caller said a man who had been loitering in the area all day was having a hard time walking. He appeared to the caller to be agitated. He was gone when police arrived.
Dog in Car—4:26 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a dog in a car with all the windows rolled up. Some details were blacked out in the log. The car was gone when police arrived. The caller told police unit 106 that the car had left.
Petty Theft—6:33 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Some details were blacked out in the log. The caller said the suspect, a man, left in a car. Loss: an unspecified number of Lacoste v-neck shirts of various sizes and colors. Report taken.
Arrest—7:20 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a man sleeping in front of the store. A few details were blacked out in the log. Police arrested John Roseberger on suspicion of public intoxication.
Disturbance—8:20 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller reported that a surfer became upset with some other individuals and threw someone’s fishing rod into the water. The surfer then walked into the water with his surfboard. No one was injured. According to a second caller, the surfer was upset with the location the other individuals had chosen for their fishing. The surfer reportedly said he would come back up to them if they continued fishing. The second caller reported that the surfer smelled of alcohol and believed the surfer might have been drinking. A few details were blacked out in the log. By 8:22 p.m., the fishing pole had been recovered and its owner did not need contact with the police. The surfer was gone when police arrived.
Sunday, July 30
Traffic Stop—10:49 a.m.—Bolsa and Seal Beach—Police unit S20 stopped a car. Based on a warrant police arrested Toiyon Wood on suspicion of driving on a suspended or revoked license.
Car Burglary—11:51 a.m.—Montecito Road—Sometime during the night, someone burglarized the caller’s car. Point of entry: a door was pried open. Loss: work keys and shoes. According to the log, the center console was ransacked. A few details were blacked out in the log. Report taken.
Theft—12:56 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported the theft of skin products, energy drinks and other items. The caller provided police with a description of two suspects and the car they left in. Many details were blacked out in the log, including the name of a juvenile suspect. Law enforcement agencies generally do not release the names of juveniles. Police arrested Emoni Milton and Milton’s companion on suspicion of shoplifting.
Transient—3:14 p.m.—Candleberry Avenue—The caller reported that a man who was walking toward Oleander appeared to be stumbling. The Police unit 107 contacted the man at Lampson and Candleberry.
Some details were blacked out in the log. Police interviewed the man in the field.
Monday, July 31
Disturbance—7:16 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—Two men came into a business without shoes, caused a disturbance and then left. Police unit 141 contacted two individuals around 7:30 a.m. One was provided with information about resources. Police checked the second individual and apparently determined no further law enforcement services were required.
Disturbance—12:21 p.m.—Main Street—The caller said a man, possibly a transient, tried to make a large withdrawal without identification. When his withdrawal request was denied, he reportedly caused a disturbance and made threats to employees and to the police. He left on foot. Police contacted the man and determined no crime had been committed. He was apparently advised against returning to the business and warned that he could be arrested for trespassing.
Found Bike—4:33 p.m.—Marlin Avenue—The caller reported a bicycle left near the caller’s trash can. A few details were blacked out in the log. Report taken.
Arrest—8:52 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller had seen a car swerving. At about 8:53 p.m., the car stopped at a red light—and then went through the light, still swerving back and forth in the lanes. According to the caller, the car got close to the curb. The suspect’s car almost hit another car at Fifth Street and went through the Intersection on First. The suspect’s car turned onto Second Street with the caller still following. Police pulled over a car, which the caller said was the correct one. The caller said they would stop a safe distance behind the police stop so police would be able to contact them. A few details were blacked out in the log. Police arrested Veronica Cortez on suspicion of drunken driving.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
TUESDAY, JULY 11
Theft—9:36 a.m.—Green Avenue—The caller reported three car batteries were stolen out of three cars over the weekend. The caller estimated the loss at $300. No further details given.
TUESDAY, JULY 11
Assistance – 8:34 p.m.—Tarawa Drive—The caller reported a marine battery was stolen from his boat. The caller estimated the battery’s value at $211. No further details given.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12
Car Burglary—9:54 a.m.—Oak Street/Royal Oak Mobile Park—The caller reported their RV’s door was pried open and electronics valued at $300 was stolen. Another RV reported burglarized had an estimated value of $500 worth of property stolen. No further details given.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12
Petty Theft—10:20 a.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller reported checks were stolen from the location in May. The caller said that the stolen checks were cashed recently at a check-cashing place in South Gate. No further details given.
THURSDAY, JULY 13
Petty Theft—2:27 p.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller reported two females stole more than $500 worth of over-the-counter antacid medicine. The caller said the women fled in a light colored sedan. No further details given.
THURSDAY, JULY 13
Burglary Report—6:50 p.m.—Green Avenue—The caller reported their garage was broken into. They reported the loss of a television and remote control helicopter. Police took a report. No further details given.
THURSDAY, JULY 13
Disturbance—11:35 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard and Orangewood Avenue—Police responded to two people fighting in front of Vons. Police detained the two people but the report only shows that Kristopher Poole, 29, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing an officer. No further details given.
FRIDAY, JULY 14
Car Burglary—5:47 a.m.—Green Avenue—The caller reported miscellaneous items were stolen out of their vehicle, which was ransacked. The caller said that a gun they kept in the car was still there. Police took a report.
FRIDAY, JULY 14
Damage to Cars—9:36 a.m.—Humbolt Street—The caller reported three car windows were shattered from the caller’s vehicle. It was estimated by the caller that the damage totaled $2,500. Police took a report. No further details given.
FRIDAY, JULY 14
Robbery—8:01 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—The caller reported that a man with a gun stole approximately $300 in cash from the store. The caller said the man flashed the black handgun to an employee before making off with a fist full of $5, $10, and $20 bills. Crime scene investigators conducted an analysis of the store and police took a report. No further details given.
FRIDAY, JULY 15
Burglary—7:30 a.m.—Noel Street—The caller reported a suspect used a blowtorch to cut open a door and steal home and entertainment equipment worth more than $50,000. The incident was not caught on camera but businesses in the area were notified. Police took a report and no further details given.
Jesus Ruiz of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
