Eighth Pedestrian Killed This Year in Santa Monica

By Jorge Casuso

November 21, 2017 -- A pedestrian was killed crossing Pacific Coast Highway early Tuesday morning, marking the eighth pedestrian fatality this year in Santa Monica and the second this month.

The fatal collision took place at about 5 a.m.. on 300 block of PCH, said Lt. Saul Rodriguez, the Police Department spokesman. The pedestrian was dead on the scene.

Two vehicles traveling northbound hit the man, he said. Both drivers remained at the scene.

"A preliminary investigation revealed the pedestrian was in the roadway for unknown reasons," Rodriguez said.

"A vehicle traveling northbound along Pacific Coast Highway struck the pedestrian. A second vehicle also traveling northbound stuck the pedestrian."

One of the vehicles and its driver were on scene when officers arrived, Rodriguez said. The second vehicle involved was located on PCH in Pacific Palisades.

There are no preliminary indications either driver was impaired, Rodriguez said. Both drivers are cooperating with the investigation.

Police are interested in speaking with anyone who was in the area near the time of the collision.

Tuesday's collision is the third fatal accident on the busy State thoroughfare in Santa Monica in the past three months.

On August 23, a man attempting to cross the 1100 block of PCH at around 5 a.m. was struck by a northbound car, police said ("Pedestrian Killed Crossing PCH in Santa Monica," August 23, 2017).

He sustained significant injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

On October 15, a bicyclist was struck and killed by a car at around 7 p.m. at the 200 block of PCH, according to police ("Witnesses Followed Driver Who Left Scene of Fatal Collision in Santa Monica," October 18, 2017)

The cyclist also died at he scene.

Tuesday's accident comes two weeks after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a Metro Expo Line train November 5 near 17th Street and Colorado Avenue.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said ("Pedestrian Killed by Expo Train in Santa Monica," November 6, 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).

Anyone with additional information about Tuesday's accident should call Investigator Jason Olson at (310) 458-8954, Sergeant Cortez at (310) 458-8713 or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8495.