San Diego, California – San Diego police have located the white Mercedes-Benz SUV believed to have fatally struck a well-known Pacific Beach bar manager in a hit-and-run crash last weekend. Authorities are now actively working to identify and locate the driver responsible for the deadly incident.
The vehicle was discovered Thursday in Mission Valley, about 24 hours after San Diego County Crime Stoppers released a blurred image of the suspected SUV and announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. A bystander recorded video of the white Mercedes being towed from the Riverfront Condominiums complex under police supervision.
Crash Details and Investigation
According to the San Diego Police Department, 40-year-old Qwente Bryant, affectionately known as “Q,” was crossing near the intersection of Garnet Avenue and Ingraham Street shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday when he was struck by a westbound Mercedes-Benz SUV. The crash occurred near Sandbox Pizza in Pacific Beach.
After hitting Bryant, the driver allegedly fled the scene, heading northbound on Gresham Street. Surveillance footage from a nearby security camera captured the white SUV traveling westbound before making a right turn onto Gresham. The vehicle could reportedly be heard accelerating, with tires squealing before it disappeared from view.
Bryant was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he was pronounced dead. Police said he was approximately a quarter-mile from his home when the crash occurred.
Investigators traced the SUV using its temporary license plate, which led them to Mercedes of San Diego. Authorities confirmed they visited the dealership to gather information related to the vehicle and its driver.
Family and Friends Seek Justice
Bryant was the manager at Tavern at the Beach, a popular Pacific Beach establishment where he was widely admired by coworkers and customers alike. His sudden death has left the community devastated.
In a statement, Bryant’s mother expressed hope that the individual responsible for her son’s death would “be brought to justice to the full extent of the law.”
Close friend Mohab Hassani described Bryant as more than a friend — “We’re brothers, we’re best friends,” he said. Hassani shared that he felt a sense of relief when police located the vehicle, calling it an important lead in the case. The two had been planning a trip to Egypt this summer, continuing Bryant’s passion for travel. Friends said he had visited more than 40 countries.
Tavern at the Beach Assistant Manager Matthew Anderson issued a heartfelt statement, saying the team is heartbroken and seeking justice for Bryant and his family.
Rising Safety Concerns in Pacific Beach
Bryant’s death follows another recent fatal hit-and-run involving a 6-year-old child on Pacific Beach Drive just weeks earlier. The two crashes occurred roughly half a mile apart, prompting renewed concerns about pedestrian safety in the area.
Data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System indicates that between 2021 and 2025, there were 79 crashes resulting in 14 injuries involving pedestrians or cyclists within a half-mile radius of the site where Bryant was struck. The two most recent fatal crashes are not yet reflected in those figures.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
