Santa Monica

Hit-and-Run Driver Fatally Strikes Man at Parking Lot Pay Booth in Santa Monica

A man standing at a parking lot pay booth was struck by a driver and killed Tuesday in Santa Monica. 

The crash was reported about 3:30 p.m. in Civic Center parking lot in the 1800 block of Main Street, near Olympic Boulevard, according to Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez.

"Several witnesses described the suspect vehicle as entering the parking lot from Fourth Street and proceed westbound at a high rate of speed,'' Rodriguez said. "The vehicle continued through a parking gate and struck a pedestrian standing at a pay parking booth."

The driver continued across Main Street and struck a parked yellow late-model Corvette. 

Lisa McDermott was one of several witnesses to the crash. She initially did not see the victim in the street and rushed to help the driver.

"My instinct was to go check on him," said McDermott. "It wasn't until I got over the driver's side door that I noticed there was someone in the street who had been hit, too."

Witness Brian McDermott said the driver apparently sneaked out of the car and ran away when no one was looking in his direction.  The driver was chased down by officers in the 300 block of Pico Boulevard and taken into custody following a struggle with officers, according to authorities.

Rodriguez identified the suspect as Absadi Kidane.

The victim was found unresponsive with critical injuries. Paramedics treated him at the scene. He was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, Rodriguez said.

Kidane, 21, was booked on suspicion of homicide, vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, felony hit-and-run and forcibly resisting arrest, according to Rodriguez.

The victim's name was not immediately available.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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