By Jorge Casuso

December 26,2024 -- Police are asking for help searching for a driver who killed an elderly pedestrian in a hit-and-run collision Sunday evening that was captured on video.

The 39-second video footage shows a speeding white Toyota Rav4 striking the victim and tossing her across the sidewalk, leaving only her shoes in the middle of the street.

Hit-and-run driver and vehicle (Images courtesy of SMPD)

"The vehicle was seen by witnesses fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed," said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

"Tragically, the victim, a Vietnam War veteran and Santa Monica resident, was pronounced deceased at the scene," Aklufi said.

Police also release a still image from a surveillance camera showing the hooded suspect walking past a fruit stand earlier that day at 3:45 p.m. A still picture of the vehicle was also released.

The incident took place Sunday at around 6:40 p.m. as the victim was crossing Wilshire Boulevard southbound on Chelsea Avenue, police said.

Officers and paramedics responding to dispatch calls found te victim on the ground and pronounced her dead at the scene, Aklufi said.

SMPD’s Major Accident Response Team responded to begin their investigation, which is ongoing, police said.

"Investigators have located video footage of the suspect and vehicle," Aklufi said. "We are asking for the public’s help in identifying this person."

Anyone with information related to the incident should email Investigator Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov or Investigator Lewis at Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov.

They can also call SMPD's non-emergency dispatch line at 310-458-8491 or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.