Suspect’s SUV details given

A man hit by a white sport utility vehicle outside a Newport hospital early Sunday remains in critical condition a day after undergoing surgery Tuesday, authorities said Wednesday.

Police said the man was hit tending to a disabled vehicle off Placentia Avenue and Hospital Road just before 2 a.m. Sunday. Initially, police had only a vague description of car that hit him, but have since released a more detailed idea of what kind of SUV they’re looking for.

Police said the white SUV involved was possibly a 1996-2001 Ford Explorer four-door SUV or a white 1997 Mercury Mountaineer four-door SUV. The car is probably missing the right front turn signal assembly and may have additional damage to the right front end of the vehicle, including to the headlight assembly and grill.

The victim suffered serious head and internal injuries and was taken to Western Medical Center.

If anyone has information regarding the vehicle, police ask you to call Det. Bill Beverly at (949) 644-3747. Note: The vehicle pictured is not the suspect’s vehicle. This is shown as an example only.