Man Hit, Killed While Paying For Parking Outside Santa Monica Courthouse
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) – A pedestrian was killed Tuesday afternoon in a parking lot near the Santa Monica Courthouse by a hit-and-run suspect who was later arrested following a pursuit.
The collision occurred before 4:30 p.m. off Main Street, between Pico Boulevard and Olympic Drive. According to a Santa Monica police spokesperson, a driver in a Toyota Camry came off the the 4th Street entrance, plowed through a parking gate in a lot outside the courthouse and slammed into a man in his 40s who was paying for parking at a kiosk.
The impact sent the victim flying several feet. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, but did not survive, police said.
After hitting the victim, the suspect drove onto Main Street and rammed into a parked Corvette. Police said the suspect then got out and ran, prompting a foot chase. He was caught and arrested a short time later.
The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Absadi Kidane. He was booked on multiple charges including homicide, vehicular manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony driving under the influence, felony hit and run and forcibly resisting arrest. His bail was set at $2 million.
"Officers who were in the area were flagged down by several witnesses, and shortly after that officers gave chase to the suspect and took him into custody at 3rd Street and Pico," said Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez.
Investigators are working to determine if Kidane and victim knew each other prior the crash, police said. There was no immediate word on a possible motive, although alcohol may have contributed to the crash, police added.
Main Street was closed between Pico Boulevard and Olympic Drive for several hours.