Man struck and killed on canyon road after exiting car

A 40-year-old Laguna Beach man was killed as he stepped out of his car on Laguna Canyon Road near the dog park at 1 a.m. Aug. 7 and was struck by another vehicle, police said.

The man, identified by the Orange County coroner’s office as Richard McCrary, was exiting his parked car when he was struck by a Ford Escape driven by a 20-year-old Laguna Hills woman, Capt. Jason Kravetz wrote in an email.

McCrary was taken to Saddleback Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The woman was not injured and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Kravetz said. No arrest was made, and the accident is under investigation.

Family and friends described McCrary as a friendly and outgoing man who was always willing to help out.

McCrary and his wife, Angela, were living at the Alternative Sleeping Location in Laguna Canyon for the last year, said Mia Ferreira, program manager at the overnight shelter.

“He was trying to find work and motivated to change his circumstances,” Ferreira said. The McCrarys were married for 16 years and had five children ages 7 to 15.

Angela said she met Richard at a birthday party when he was employed by a party supply company.

“He was always encouraging me,” Angela said.

The day before he died, Ferreira said, Richard helped a fellow ASL resident who had vision problems walk safely across Laguna Canyon Road.

Richard regularly brought food for people gathering outside the ASL in the evenings. Its doors don’t open until 5 p.m.

“[Richard] had a zest for life,” Ferreira said. “He loved to surf. He was playful and was always trying to be positive and making people feel better.”

Richard treated people with dignity, his sister, Erin Fox, wrote in an email.

“He taught me that everyone is a child of God no matter their circumstances,” Fox said. “Each has come from a family with parents, and people who loved them.

“He has taught me that it is far better for us to not judge one another based on appearances. Give a hug, a smile, a handshake, show them that someone cares about them. Give them hope that there is a God that loves them.”

McCrary’s death is likely to fuel even more discussion about pedestrian safety. In April 2014, Laguna College of Art + Design student Nina Fitzpatrick was struck and killed as she crossed Laguna Canyon Road in front of the campus.

A task force headed by Mayor Bob Whalen and Councilwoman Toni Iseman is developing suggestions for pedestrian and bicyclist safety along the state highway and will present ideas to the City Council later this year.