Pedestrian Killed Crossing PCH in Santa Monica

By Lookout Staff

August 23, 2017 -- A man attempting to cross Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) early Wednesday morning became the sixth pedestrian fatality in Santa Monica this year.

The victim was crossing the 1100 block of PCH at around 5 a.m. when he was struck by a car traveling northbound, police said.

"Upon arrival, officers discovered a pedestrian in the roadway with significant injuries," said Police Department spokesman Lt. Saul Rodriguez.

The driver of the vehicle was on scene when officers arrived and "is cooperating with the investigation," Rodriguez said.

"There have been no preliminary indications the driver was impaired," he said.

Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics responded in an attempt to treat the pedestrian, who was declared dead at the scene, he said.

SMPD's Major Accident Response Team is investigating why the victim was crossing the busy coastal highway, Rodriguez said.

The accidents comes more than four months after five pedestrian were killed in Santa Monica between March 4 and April 3.

Three took place on busy thoroughfares, one on a well-traveled street and another in a parking lot ("Pedestrian Killed Crossing Santa Monica Boulevard," April 4, 2017).

In May, the City Council Tuesday ordered faster action on a sweeping re-design of city streets meant to embrace pedestrians and bicyclists and chase vehicles off car-clogged streets ("Santa Monica City Council Calls for Safe Streets “Czar,” May 11, 2017).

Pedestrians and bicyclists account for approximately two-thirds of all severe injuries and fatalities sustained in traffic accidents on Santa Monica's busy streets, Police Department data show. ("The Statistics Behind Santa Monica's Pedestrian Deaths," May 11, 2017).

Motorists are the only parties in 82 percent of the City’s traffic incidents, with incidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists accounting for 8 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Yet, pedestrians and bicyclists account for 60 percent of severe injuries and 70 percent of fatalities, the statistics showed.

The investigation is ongoing and investigators are interested in speaking with anyone who was in the area near the time of the collision.

Anyone with additional information should contact Investigator Jason Olson at (310) 458-8954, Lieutenant Cobarrubias at (310) 458-8445 or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8495.