Suspect in 2024 Long Beach Fatal Hit-and-Run Arrested

Police cited security camera footage and license plate readers in apprehending the 59-year-old suspect.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:31pm

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A 59-year-old man suspected in a fatal Long Beach hit-and-run in December 2024 has been taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service in Sacramento. Mario Jesus Escobar Acosta was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run resulting in a fatal injury, with a bail set at $50,000.

Why it matters

This arrest brings some closure to a tragic incident that claimed the life of a 78-year-old woman, Nikki Rash, and highlights the role that security camera footage and license plate reader technology can play in solving hit-and-run cases.

The details

On December 26, 2024, officers responded to a traffic collision at California Avenue and San Antonio Drive in Long Beach. A tan Toyota Avalon heading eastbound on San Antonio Drive ran a red light and struck Rash's vehicle. The driver briefly got out of the car before fleeing the scene. Detectives were investigating distracted driving as a possible factor leading to the fatal collision.

  • On December 26, 2024, officers responded to the traffic collision.
  • Nikki Rash died of her injuries on January 4, 2025.
  • Mario Jesus Escobar Acosta was arrested on Monday by the U.S. Marshals Service in Sacramento.

The players

Mario Jesus Escobar Acosta

A 59-year-old man suspected in the fatal Long Beach hit-and-run in December 2024.

Nikki Rash

A 78-year-old woman who died of her injuries from the hit-and-run collision on January 4, 2025.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Acosta's bail on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of security camera footage and license plate reader technology in solving hit-and-run incidents and bringing closure to tragic events like this one.