SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) — Two pedestrians were killed Friday night in a hit-and-run collision in Santa Monica. The driver involved in the crash fled on foot and remained at large, authorities said.
Santa Monica Police Department officers responded at 9:15 p.m. to the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard, between Euclid Street and Euclid Court, the agency said.
“Preliminary information indicates the involved vehicle was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Wilshire Boulevard when it drove onto the sidewalk and struck the four pedestrians,” the Police Department said in a statement.
Two were taken to a hospital by Santa Monica Fire Department firefighter-paramedics and are expected to survive. The names of the two people who died at the scene were not immediately released.
The driver ran from the crash site and was being sought Saturday, police said. He was described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, last seen wearing a red hat, a black sweater and black shoes.
The roadway between Euclid Street and Euclid Court was closed as investigators processed the scene.
The cause of the collision remained under investigation.
“We recognize the gravity of this tragedy and the impact it has on our community,” said Interim Police Chief Darrick Jacob. “Our investigators are working tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect responsible, and our hearts are with the families of the victims who are experiencing unimaginable loss.”
The chilling sound of the crash was caught on camera and heard by James Bender, who was next door, wrapping up dinner at Sushi King.
“It was pretty surreal, just the puff of smoke when I saw that, and the sound was so loud from the impact that I just had to come out and take a look and immediately you could see just see the devastation,” Bender said.
Police say this was no accident. Investigators believe the driver was speeding westbound in the eastbound lanes of Wilshire Boulevard before veering onto the sidewalk and mowing through pedestrians.
Saturday afternoon, Erica Yoshii was outside Bobba Time & Me, sweeping up debris as community members dropped by to leave flowers. One Sushi King employee placed a bouquet for the victims and bowed deeply in prayer.
The tragedy has shaken the community known for its walkability.
“This is why people love Santa Monica, cause you walk everywhere, you can take a bike and then now we are totally a target,” said Santa Monica resident Carmel Celeste.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the collision, saw the suspect fleeing the scene, or has any information about this incident to contact Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 x5311, Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov; Sgt. Jason Olson (310) 458-8367, Jason.Olson@santamonica.gov; or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8427.
Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously referred to Euclid Court as 13th Street.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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