Home › News › County News
Woman killed by hit-run driver remembered
Download this story as a podcast!
VIDEO: REMEMBERING BETH
Memories from her family and some of the 800 who attended her vigil.
Watch now »
This truck, a 1995 Ford F150 XLT extended cab, is similar to the one police are searching for in a hit-and-run case.
RELATED STORIES
STORY TOOLS
More from County News
NOTE: A suspected hit-and-run driver has turned himself in to police. Read the story here.
Beth Dunn, known for her warm greetings for customers at Ralphs and from her family's love of basketball, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Ventura Friday night.
Police are still looking for the motorist who hit the 45-year-old at Victoria Avenue and Thille Street.
The accident happened a little after 9 p.m. Friday. Dunn, who rode her bike to get around town, was on her way home after dinner. As she pedaled across Victoria Avenue in the crosswalk, the driver of a truck ran a red light and struck her, police said, then drove off through the parking lot of the Ventura County Government Center.
Several witnesses stopped to help Dunn, who was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center and admitted into surgery in critical condition. She died around 12:36 a.m. Saturday from blunt force head injury.
Ventura police were looking for a man driving a dark blue or teal green truck that could possibly be a 1995 Ford F150 XLT extended cab.
The truck is raised with large tread tires and may have a gold or light-colored stripe on the lower sides of the truck.
Those who knew Dunn said she was always ready to give a hug or lend an ear to a friend in need. She would call up those in her Bible study group to check on them when they were sick and loved to meet up for tea and talking.
"She was a very loving individual. If you gave her a chance, she would give all of her love to you," said her father, Charlie Dunn.
Many in the community have known her for years, either from when she was a student at Buena High School or from her warm welcome at whatever job she was working in town.
"Everybody knows Beth I stood amazed at the amount of people she knew," said Joy Breeze of Ventura, who first met Beth when they both worked at the mall in Ventura in the 1980s. "She was a friend of all friends."
Longtime love of basketball
Beth was one of Charlie and Maggie Dunn's five children, including her twin sister, Cathy. Charlie Dunn coached basketball at Oxnard High School and Ventura College. Beth and Cathy Dunn were managers of the girl's basketball team at Buena High School.
"All their lives, they've been involved in the basketball community," said Joe Vaughan, former athletic director and girls' basketball coach at Buena High School.
Vaughan remembers working with Beth and her sister when they were at the high school in the early 1980s.
"They were both just very, very loyal. Very loyal to the school and very loyal to anybody who was a friend," he said.
The twins were born premature and had some developmental delays, but were determined to not be seen as having a disability. They attended regular classes in local public schools and worked regular jobs. They lived together for the past 25 years, Charlie Dunn said.
"They didn't want to stay with us. They wanted to be independent," he said. "We did our best to prepare them to be independent in society."
Living together was a plus, because the two could help each other.
Maggie Dunn said the loss is particularly hard for Cathy. She said the family was leaning on its strong faith.
"The people that know her, that know both girls, they have brought so much love into so many people's lives," she said. "It's the circle of love. They gave so much away, people love them."
The sisters never had driver's licenses, instead riding bicycles to get to work and around town during the past 25 years.
Beth Dunn built up a long list of friends through her work at Wendy's and then Noah's Bagels off Victoria Avenue before taking a job at Ralphs on Victoria Avenue in 2004.
Beth Dunn
Vaughan said whenever he walked into the Ralphs store, she would give him a hug.
'She always had a smile'
Jahna Fort, a manager at Ralphs, said Dunn worked as a courtesy clerk bagging groceries, collecting carts and helping customers carry their groceries out.
"She was a great worker. She always had a smile," Fort said. "She knew everybody — all the customers, and was very friendly. She loved giving kids balloons when they came in."
Fort said Dunn would put in 48-hour weeks. She was scheduled to work Saturday.
"It's been really hard here today," Fort said.
Shelly Ralph met Dunn in 10th grade. Ralph kept in touch with her friend over the years through catch-up talks each time she went to Ralphs.
"She was a very giving person," Ralph said. "She would do anything for anybody."
Ralph was angry when she heard the accident was a hit-and-run.
"I was hoping the person would have stuck around to see if she was OK, instead of being a coward and taking off," she said.
Charlie Dunn said he hoped the driver would turn himself in "for his own sake."
The driver is being sought for vehicular manslaughter. He is described as heavy-set with a shaved head and a tribal tattoo on his upper left arm. Police are also looking for a woman who was driving behind him in a silver four-door car.
Sgt. Jack Richards said police were out along Victoria Avenue Saturday trying to see if there were any additional witnesses or if the vehicle was caught on security cameras.
"We're checking all we can," he said. "We're looking at everything."
The police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the accident or may have information on the driver or vehicle call 339-4416.
"We really want to get this guy," Richards said.
Friends of the family have set up a memorial fund to help defray funeral expenses. Memorial fund contributions should be made out to "Beth Dunn Memorial Fund" and mailed to Wells Fargo Bank, 5751 Telephone Road., Ventura, CA 93003 Attn: Ann Romero.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 22, 2007 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Praying for the family and praying that somewhere a camera got a picture of this truck!!
Posted by catluvr22 on July 22, 2007 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My Prayers are with the Family, Beth will be missed by all
Posted by onapproach on July 22, 2007 at 8:23 a.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by NUKEM on July 22, 2007 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our sympathy and prayers go out to Charlie, Maggie, Cathy and the family. May God keep Beth in His loving hands.
I hope the driver has courage to turn himself in and take his punishment.
Posted by angrygirl8284 on July 22, 2007 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was already very upset to read this story yesterday when there was little information, but reading it today and finding out in was Beth that was killed hurts my heart. She was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. We shop at Ralph's and I have a 19 month old daughter. Every time we'd come in, Beth would always stop to say hi to my little girl and comment on how big she was getting. She even always remembered my daughter's name. She was always so sweet and warm. There arent people like that in this world anymore. Beth was a true gem in a sea unpolished rocks. We will really miss her.
Posted by sue805 on July 22, 2007 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i am just shocked that is was Beth. I shop Ralphs every week and she is was always there with her bright smile and willing to help loading groceries into my car or help me find things in the store. She was truly one of Ralphs' best employee's. She will be missed greatly. She was always telling me of her love of God and how she enjoyed life! This guy that ran her down deserves the toughest penalty they can give. I am quite sure they will get him.. God bless Beth's family.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on July 22, 2007 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've known Beth and Cathy through church since they were children and I see them at their jobs from time to time. The news of the accident caused by that coward brought tears to my eyes. These wonderful sisters are true innocents who exemplify what humans should be in terms of love and caring.
My prayers will be said today for Beth and Cathy and for their family. I can't even imagine the agony Cathy is undergoing at this time. To lose Beth, under the circumstances of their lives, would be more painful than losing a parent or spouse.
We must identify and apprehend the perp who killed Beth ... and the cowardly women in the car that was following him.
Posted by lawlertm on July 22, 2007 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am truly saddened to hear that Beth was hit Friday night night. I also shop at Ralphs and have enjoyed her bright smile. On one such occasion, I brought in my own grocery bags. While Beth was bagging my groceries, she looked at the name on the outside of the bags. She lauhgingly called me a "traitor". The name on the bags was Vons! Ooops! We all had a good chuckle on my oversight! I will miss Beth.
Posted by kqexs on July 22, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If I have the location right, the Santa Barbara Bank and Trust across the street MUST have cameras.
Posted by apharaangel on July 22, 2007 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was so sad to read this. I shop at Ralphs and just want to say that every single time I went into that store I would see Beth and she would always say hello and help me to my car when I would have my baby to help load my groceries. She was always so happy & cheerful and I would always think GOSH she has a such a loving spirit!! I hope they catch that man who took such a kind hearted woman away..My prayers are with her family in this very sad sad time..
Posted by pluna on July 22, 2007 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My deepest prayers go out to Beth and her Loved ones, im gonna miss her, We worked at Ralphs together, She was the only one that wasnt full of drama there. Atleast we know she was saved and is with the Lord now.Please step up and do the right thing if you seen or know anything, its the right thing to do.
Posted by LoVeMyKiDsAlWaYs on July 22, 2007 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This day is a sad day for many people in Ventura county. I get to work with beth's sister at vons. And from the moment I met cathy i new i met a kind and dear person. I had the chance to meet beth. And I saw the same qualities in her. I'm still in shock over this. i don't understand how such a horrible thing could happen to such kind hearted and harmless people. My thoughts and prayers are with you Cathy and your family. Just know Beth is in god's loving arms now, where she can't be hurt anymore.
Posted by MAULYFRED on July 22, 2007 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just heard about Beth's accident today and am so deeply saddened. I was her manager at Noah's Bagels, and have been a friend of hers for the past 8 years. Beth was the most kind hearted loving person, never met a stranger. I was sure she knew everyone in Ventura. She loved to laugh and had a funny sense of humor. As her manager, customers loved her, she remembered everyones name, loved to be playful with them and made Noah's a welcoming place to come to. As her friend I feel trully blessed to have been able to have her in my life and she will be deeply missed. I am still in shock. To Cathy and family, you are in my thoughts. We have trully lost one of God's great gifts.
Posted by greengoldfan on July 23, 2007 at 12:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers and deep sympathies to the family. I shop at Ralphs and was always greeted with her warm smile and greeting. She knew of my multiple back surgeries and always wanted to help me out with the groceries (although I always said no thanks).
I know that Heaven has added another citizen and that she's receiving her rewards for being a good and faithful "servant".
We'll miss you Beth!
Posted by Ventuckey on July 23, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I drove by the scene on my way home Friday night and immediatly though of her. Then only to read the next day what I though was true. I didn't know her, but I always saw her around town and will miss seeing her around on her bike and at Ralphs. It couldn't have happened to a nicer, kinder person. I am glad to see the public support and it makes me proud to say I live in Ventura.
Posted by mcclanr on July 23, 2007 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After being out of town all weekend I popped into Ralph's for some groceries this morning. At the checkout I saw the announcement about Beth's death and had a minor breakdown, tears and all. I don't shop at Ralph's very often but see Beth at Peet's Coffee frequently. She loved to wave to and tease my two-and-a-half year old daughter and chat with my husband and I. She was just such a positive and joyful person and I didn't even know her that well. She was a fixture in our Ventura community and will be very missed by my family and many others. Good bye Beth, you are loved!
Posted by Chrissie_The_Midget on July 23, 2007 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didnt know beth very well but i used to shop at ralphs with my mom all the time. my moms known beth since they were in high school. wed always talk when i went in there either by myself or with my mom. she was always the happiest and sweetest person. ill miss seeing her when i go in there.
she will be missed by everyone.
Posted by elainec7791 on July 24, 2007 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
we send our deepest condolences to the family of miss dunn and am very sorry for their loss.we are the family of mr. painter and we are heartbroken over this tragedy.it gives us comfort to know that miss dunn was a believer in god and she is now with the lord.i had the pleasure of meeting miss dunn at ralphs and she was a sweet lady.
Posted by tiggerfan8762002 on July 25, 2007 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with the Dunn family during this difficult time. I am glad the guy turned himself in and now heaven has another angel to watch over us all.
Article discussions on this site are to support community debates of issues related to our stories and editorials.
Discussions should not stray from the subject of the story or editorial.
We do not allow the following:
- Posts that degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
- Disparaging remarks, abusive language or obscene comments.
- Threats, whether obvious or veiled.
We reserve the right to delete threads and/or ban users for these or other reasons we deem necessary.
Opinions are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.
There are 18 comments to this article.
Comments are found beneath the Yahoo! ad below.