Man lies in front of woman's car to keep her from leaving party, is run over and killed

SAN DIEGO -- A Garden Grove man attempting to stop a woman from leaving his birthday party in San Diego was run over by a car and killed, according to police.

San Diego police said 34-year-old Jonathan Merkley, of Garden Grove, and his friends were drinking at the Staybridge Hotel in the 6600 block of Mira Mesa Boulevard when the incident happened at about 1:20 a.m.

Investigators said a woman at the party decided to leave and began to drive away. In an attempt to stop the woman from leaving, Merkley got on the ground in front of the woman's BMW, police stated.

The woman then ran over Merkley and drove off, according to authorities.

Merkley suffered a major chest injury and died at the hospital.

Authorities said the woman had been identified, but was not in custody.