Montebello, California, USA, 17 January 2026

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- New video captured the moment a Montebello police vehicle hit a person crossing the street, leaving him in critical condition.

The incident happened Saturday evening right outside the Golden Manor Retirement Center on Beverly Boulevard and Howard Avenue. The facility told Eyewitness News the pedestrian who was hit was one of their residents.

"The police car came in and pushed him in the air," said Leticia Carmen Birrueta, who works as an administrative assistant at the facility.

Surveillance footage shows the man crossing the street in a marked crosswalk, just steps away from reaching the sidewalk, when the police car in the right lane struck him. Moments later, the officer runs out of the car and toward the man, who landed yards away.

"I know him," said Birrueta of the victim. "He's a very, very good guy. He's very friendly with everybody and all the residents are worried for him."

The officer was responding to call about a possible DUI suspect before the crash, according to the Montebello Police Department. It does not appear the officer had lights or sirens on.

Bob Jordan said he saw ABC7's report on the incident and went to the scene to check on the man.

"I drive here going into work all the time and coming home, and I just see a man that I always see all the time, and I thought, 'Maybe it could be him' or another man who lives here," he said. "I always wave hi to him because he's out on the balcony in the morning."

Those familiar with the area said people need to be more careful, especially as elderly people cross the street.

"Sometimes, if you're just going right through, right when you see the green light, you could hit somebody that's barely getting across the street," said Jordan.

The victim was taken to the hospital where police say he's listed in critical/stable condition. However, Birrueta told Eyewitness News things are not looking good.

"No, he not ok," she said. "We talked yesterday to his sister, and he's very, very sick. We don't know. He's very sick."

It's unclear if the officer suffered any injuries.

The California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.