Driver involved in seven-car crash dies

A Laguna Beach man died last week, a few days after he allegedly hit seven cars along South Coast Highway.

About 3 p.m. Sept. 22, authorities received reports of a hit-and-run on South Coast Highway and Diamond Street, according to Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Kravetz. Witnesses reported that a Jeep Cherokee hit three parked cars and fled southbound on South Coast Highway.

Police later concluded Lee Henry Vuille, 73, was the Jeep’s driver.

Vuille rear-ended a car at Nyes Place, causing another four-vechicle crash, Kravetz said.

A 4-year-old girl and 31-year-old were taken to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo after the second incident.

Vuille was also taken to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, where he died due to natural causes Sept. 26, according to the Orange County coroner.

Kravetz said alcohol and drugs were not immediately suspected, but the crash is still under investigation. Traffic investigators have obtained a blood sample, he said.

“We do suspect that he may have been having some type of medical issue, but cannot conclusively say that was the cause until we receive the toxicology results,” Kravetz said.

— Joanna Clay

Twitter: @joannaclay