By Lookout Staff
October 18, 2024 -- A suspected DUI driver reportedly making circles on the beach at high speeds ran over and killed a homeless woman sleeping on the sand late Thursday night, according to police.
Officers flagged down at around 11:30 p.m. near the 1400 Block of the Beach for a vehicle stuck in the sand found the unconscious woman wedged beneath the vehicle, police officials said.
"Despite their efforts to reach the victim and provide aid, the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) determined the victim was deceased at the scene," according to an SMPD press release Friday morning.
"Using SMFD resources, the vehicle was lifted and the victim was extricated."
The driver has been identified as YuYang Sun,a 21- year-old male from Arcadia operating a 2015 Infiniti SUV, who remained on scene, according to police.
Following a DUI investigation, the suspect was arrested and preliminarily charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and gross vehicular manslaughter, police said.
At approximately 8 a.m. Friday morning officers and detectives remained on the scene near the Pier "actively investigating the incident."
The LA County Coroner’s Office was notified. The victim has not yet been identified.
KTLA reported that a homeless witness who was staying on the beach overnight said that "two or three kids got out of the SUV and tried to push it out of the sand."
“I just happened to be looking that way and I see these lights coming around the corner of the bathroom and it got stuck,” the witness said.
The station reported that "a makeshift homeless encampment with several tents was seen in the area as the investigation was underway Friday morning."
Anyone with information about this incident or suspect should call the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.