Police Find SUV Believed to Have Killed PB Bar Manager in Hit-and-Run

Detectives actively searching for driver who fled the scene after fatally striking Qwente Bryant

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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San Diego police have located the white Mercedes-Benz SUV they believe was involved in the hit-and-run crash that killed Qwente Bryant, a beloved Pacific Beach bar manager, over the weekend. Detectives are now working to identify and apprehend the driver who fled the scene after striking Bryant as he was crossing the street near his home.

Why it matters

This tragic incident has shaken the Pacific Beach community, coming just three weeks after another fatal hit-and-run crash in the area that killed a 6-year-old child. Residents are now calling on city leaders to implement additional traffic safety measures to protect pedestrians in the neighborhood.

The details

According to police, Bryant was crossing the street near Sandbox Pizza on Garnet Avenue and Ingraham Street around 2 a.m. on Saturday when he was struck by the westbound Mercedes-Benz SUV. The driver fled the scene, heading northbound on Gresham Street. Bryant, the manager at Tavern at the Beach, was pronounced dead at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.

  • The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2026.
  • Police located the suspected SUV on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Qwente Bryant

The 41-year-old manager at Tavern at the Beach who was killed in the hit-and-run crash.

San Diego Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating the hit-and-run incident and searching for the driver.

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What they’re saying

“The person responsible for my son's death should be brought to justice to the full extent of the law.”

— Qwente Bryant's mother (NBC 7)

What’s next

Detectives are actively working to identify and locate the driver of the Mercedes-Benz SUV involved in the fatal hit-and-run. A $1,000 reward is being offered for tips that lead to an arrest.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has renewed calls from the Pacific Beach community for increased traffic safety measures to protect pedestrians, especially in the wake of another recent fatal hit-and-run crash in the area. The search for the driver responsible continues as the community mourns the loss of a beloved local business manager.