By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

April 11, 2014 -- The Santa Monica Police Department is on the lookout for a hit and run driver suspected of running over a 20-year-old skateboarder Saturday.

The incident, which occurred at the intersection of 17th Street and Marine Street at 7:50 p.m. on April 5, left the victim in the hospital with a broken vertebrae and injury to one of his lungs, according to police.

The victim was skateboarding at about 20 miles per hour down a hill on 17th Street with a friend following behind him, police officials said. 

According to the friend, the man ran the stop sign at an estimated 15 miles per hour on Marine Street and struck the victim and drove over his body.

“It is unknown if the motorist stopped for the eastbound stop sign at Marine Street,” said Sgt. Jay Moroso, SMPD spokesperson.

The suspect, who was driving a white, older-model Buick Regal or Chevy Caprice, stopped briefly but drove off without identifying him or herself or alerting the authorities, according to the witness’ report.

Police had not made an arrest as of press time, nor had they found video of the incident.

Police are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.

Anonymous tipsters can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463), or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com.

Anonymous tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers by either calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org.