CdM man hit by Hummer remains in hospital

The 52-year-old Corona del Mar man who was severely injured Dec. 13 when he was hit by an alleged drunk driver remained unconscious in the hospital as of late Thursday, police said.

An updated condition was not available as of late Saturday.

Thomas Kroopf was stopped on the side of the road helping his son with car problems at 2:20 a.m. Dec. 13 when the accident happened. He had parked his car near the curb on Newport Coast Drive when a Hummer H2 hit the rear end of his car, knocking him over a chain link fence and down an embankment.

Kroopf suffered major injuries and was taken to Mission Hospital Regional Trauma Center in Mission Viejo. Kroopf was in critical condition and was unable to breathe on his own, police said.

The driver of the Hummer, Dean Richard Morrison, 36, of Newport Beach, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.