A wrong-way driver has been arrested on suspicion of hitting a police officer in the leg with his car while forcing his way into a Palisades fire evacuation area.
On January 13, Walter William Larkins, 37, of Malibu, was spotted driving on the wrong side of the road on Ocean Avenue toward the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica around 6:45 a.m. It was reported.
Police said Larkins, who was driving a green Toyota Highlander, was seen following a National Guard vehicle into an area that was closed to emergency vehicles only.
Police said a Santa Monica police officer motioned for Larkins to stop, but Larkins ignored the request and continued running through the checkpoint area, running over the fleeing officer’s leg.
The officer was taken to the hospital with “soft tissue injuries,” officials said.
Other officers were also alerted to the violation and located the suspect through the group’s network of cameras (license plate readers).
The suspect, Walter William Larkins, 37, is shown in a booking photo from the Santa Monica Police Department.
Police eventually found Larkins in the 2200 block of Pico Boulevard and pulled him over. He was arrested for a felony hit and run and several vehicle law violations.
This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Investigator Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov.
The public can also call Santa Monica Police Department’s non-emergency tip line at 310-458-8491 or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
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