Long Beach daily headlines: DUI murder charge, port oil-tank lawsuit, police blotter

Top story: Murder charge after toddler killed in suspected DUI crash

Prosecutors filed a murder charge against a 55-year-old Long Beach driver accused of causing a deadly suspected DUI crash on Monday, March 2. Police say an SUV reversed at high speed near Maine Avenue and West 5th Street, jumped the curb, and struck three people who were sitting on steps along the sidewalk. A 20-month-old girl, Myrah Hunter, later died. A 45-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl were hospitalized with injuries that officials described as non-life-threatening.

Investigators have pointed to a mix of possible factors, including impairment, speed, and distraction. The case has renewed attention on safety concerns in residential areas where a single mistake can turn catastrophic in seconds.

Port watch: Oil-tank expansion fight heads toward court

A separate story drawing attention at the waterfront centers on a crude-oil storage expansion at a terminal inside the Port of Long Beach. The plan would add two tanks at the Ribost (World Oil) site, increasing total on-site storage to more than 23 million gallons, according to reporting tied to the permit and environmental review record.

Community and environmental-justice groups have challenged the approval in court, arguing the project adds risk in areas already burdened by pollution. Supporters say the work is contained within an existing industrial footprint. The legal fight is expected to continue with a court date set for March 9.

Police snapshot: Two no-hit shootings, plus a negligent discharge

In the Long Beach Police Department’s March 3 blotter, officers documented two separate no-hit shooting reports overnight and said no injuries were reported. The incidents were listed near Cerritos Avenue and Queens Way, with motive and suspect information still under investigation.

The same blotter also noted a report tied to a negligent discharge of a firearm after a person arrived at a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound; police said the firearm was recovered and the investigation is ongoing.

On the calendar: A few weekend picks

• Battle of the Bands (Saturday, March 7): student groups compete for prizes and studio time in downtown.
• Aquarium night options and other family-friendly picks are also on local event calendars for the weekend.

Sources

• https://www.foxla.com/news/long-beach-dui-murder-charge-toddler-death
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/long-beach-toddler-killed-crash-murder/3857074/
• https://www.longbeachlocalnews.com/2026/03/04/55-year-old-man-arrested-after-crash-that-killed-20-month-old-girl/
• https://www.longbeach.gov/police/news/lbpd-blotter-march-3-2026/
• https://hoodline.com/2026/03/long-beach-okays-new-port-oil-tanks-neighbors-fume/
• https://lbpost.com/esd/eat-see-do-2/do/things-to-do-in-long-beach-this-weekend-including-battle-of-the-bands-and-a-night-at-the-aquarium/