With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, the Oceanside community mourns the tragic and heartbreaking loss of Aaron Lee Keith, a 24-year-old man whose life was taken far too soon in a devastating hit-and-run collision on April 26, 2026.
According to the Oceanside Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 10:57 a.m. to the area of westbound State Route 76 near Singh Way following reports of a non-breathing individual along the roadway. When officers arrived, they located an adult male lying on the shoulder of the highway.
North County Fire personnel responded to the scene, and despite emergency response efforts, Aaron was pronounced deceased at approximately 11:05 a.m.
Following an investigation into the circumstances, officials determined the incident was the result of a fatal hit-and-run collision. Preliminary findings indicate the collision likely occurred sometime between 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. earlier that same morning. The driver responsible did not stop, leaving Aaron behind on the roadside.
At this time, investigators have not released a suspect description, and no vehicle information is currently available. The Oceanside Police Department Traffic Unit is actively investigating the case in coordination with the Medical Examiner’s Office as they work to uncover the full timeline and circumstances surrounding Aaron’s death.
Aaron’s passing has left loved ones devastated, as a young life was taken far too soon in a tragic and heartbreaking manner. His death serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of reckless actions and the lasting grief left behind when someone chooses to flee instead of helping.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information that could assist investigators to come forward. Anyone with tips is asked to contact Oceanside Police Department Traffic Investigator Ibrahim Serdah at 760-435-4769.
As the search for answers continues, the community holds onto the memory of Aaron Lee Keith, remembering him not for the tragedy that ended his life, but for the life he lived and the future that was stolen from him.
