Police have arrested a Los Angeles man suspected of killing a Vietnam War veteran in a hit-and-run incident in Santa Monica on Dec. 22, authorities announced Friday.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, the fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Chelsea Street and Wilshire Street around 6:40 p.m. Sunday.
Authorities say the pedestrian, whose name has not yet been released, was crossing south on Wilshire when he was struck by a white Toyota Rav4 that was traveling east on Wilshire.
Surveillance camera footage from a witness captured the violent collision and followed the suspect for a short distance as he fled the scene at high speed.
The victim, described by police as a Vietnam War veteran and resident of Santa Monica, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators collected surveillance footage and identified the suspect as Rod Sharif, 30, of Los Angeles.
Police and SWAT personnel executed a search and arrest warrant for Sharif and his Santa Monica Canyon home on Dec. 27, according to SMPD.
“Several pieces of evidence were recovered from the home, along with a white Toyota Rav4 with significant front-end damage that appears to have occurred during the accident,” police said in a statement.
Authorities eventually arrested and charged Sharif with felony murder and hit-and-run.
SMPD urges anyone who may have information related to this case to contact Detective Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov, Detective Lewis at Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov, or the 24-hour We encourage you to contact the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
