A devastating hit-and-run crash in Santa Monica has left two pedestrians dead and two others injured

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, the hit-and-run crash happened at about 9:15 p.m., when a car traveling the wrong way on Wilshire Boulevard drove onto the sidewalk and struck four people. CBS Los Angeles reported that the car, an orange Dodge Charger, smashed into a tree. The driver fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak.

Table Of Contents

• Victims Identified as Local Residents in Their 60s

• Eyewitnesses Describe a Violent, Sudden Impact

  • Legal Insight: Victims of Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents Have Rights
  • Call for Legal Help After a Hit-and-Run Crash

Victims Identified as Local Residents in Their 60s

Investigators confirmed that the two pedestrians killed were a man and a woman, both in their 60s. Their names have not yet been released as police work to notify next of kin. Two additional victims were transported to a nearby hospital and are expected to survive.

“Our investigators are working tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect responsible,” said Interim Chief Darrick Jacob. “Our hearts are with the families of the victims who are experiencing unimaginable loss.”

Eyewitnesses Describe a Violent, Sudden Impact

Witness James Bender, who was eating at a nearby restaurant, described the crash to CBS Los Angeles:

“Felt like lightning inside the building. … There were no brakes, there were no skids... it was just boom as he struck the building.”

The crash forced authorities to close Wilshire between 14th Street and Euclid Avenue while investigators documented the scene and searched for the suspect.

Legal Insight: Victims of Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents Have Rights

Hit-and-run collisions are among the most devastating types of pedestrian accidents, often leaving victims and their families uncertain about where to turn for justice. Even when the at-fault driver flees, California law allows victims to pursue compensation through their own uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, or through civil action once the driver is located.

Families may be entitled to recover damages for:

• Wrongful death and loss of companionship

• Medical bills and rehabilitation for surviving victims

• Funeral expenses

• Pain and suffering and emotional distress

An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help investigate the crash, coordinate with law enforcement, and hold the responsible party (or their insurer) accountable.

Call for Legal Help After a Hit-and-Run Crash

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. The team at UberLawyer.com helps victims of rideshare and pedestrian collisions throughout Los Angeles County fight for justice and fair compensation.

Contact UberLawyer today, 888-979-7979, for a free consultation with a California personal-injury attorney. We’re available 24/7 to review your case and help you understand your legal options.