A man has been arrested and charged with murder after authorities alleged that he killed a 53-year-old woman while driving under the influence and speeding on Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, crashing into her car and sending it into nearby wetlands, police said Wednesday, July 15.
Huntington Beach police found Lukas McHargue, 24, in Oceanside on Wednesday and took him into custody three months after the April 15 crash that took Heather Lewis’ life, said police spokeswoman Jessica Cuchilla in a news release.
That night, McHargue’s BMW rear-ended Lewis’ Kia Soul on PCH south of Warner Avenue, launching her car into the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, police said. The car then overturned and submerged, trapping Lewis inside.
Lewis was later extracted from the Kia and taken to a hospital, where she died shortly after.
Investigators believe McHargue was driving more than 100 miles per hour — more than double the speed limit — shortly before the crash. Police alleged he had both alcohol and marijuana in his system and was more than double the legal blood alcohol limit.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office charged McHargue with murder. He is being held in Orange County Jail without bond.