Menifee, California – Authorities in Menifee are asking for the public’s help in solving a tragic case that unfolded over several days and only recently revealed its full severity. A 59-year-old man, initially believed to be unharmed, was later found dead, with investigators now confirming he was likely the victim of a hit-and-run collision.
The incident began on the evening of December 30, 2025, around 7 p.m., when officers from the Menifee Police Department responded to reports of a man lying in the roadway on Eller Way. The caller feared the man could be struck by passing vehicles.
When officers arrived, they found the man, later identified as Douglas Calvin Andrews, in the road. According to officials, Andrews appeared conscious and did not report any injuries at the time. Witnesses at the scene, including people who knew him, told police he had been drinking earlier that evening.
Authorities said Andrews expressed that he simply wanted to go home and rest. Those with him agreed to take him back to his nearby residence, and no immediate medical emergency was reported during that interaction.
However, the situation took a tragic turn just days later.
On January 1, 2026, officers were called to a home on the 28000 block of Blue Diamond Lane for an unattended death. When they arrived, Andrews was found deceased inside the residence. Due to the unclear circumstances, an autopsy was ordered in coordination with the department’s Investigations Division.
It wasn’t until April 2026 that the full picture emerged.
Autopsy results revealed that Andrews had suffered severe bruising to his torso along with internal injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Based on these findings, investigators now believe he was involved in a hit-and-run collision before police initially encountered him on December 30.
The delayed discovery has raised serious concerns about how easily such injuries can go unnoticed and how critical it is to seek medical attention after any possible accident, even when symptoms are not immediately visible.
The case remains under active investigation, and Menifee police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Detectives are particularly interested in any details about vehicles or drivers that may have been in the area of Eller Way around the time Andrews was first found.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Kaub of the Menifee Police Department at 951-723-1656.
As investigators continue to piece together what happened, Andrews’ death serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of hit-and-run incidents and the importance of community cooperation in bringing those responsible to justice.
