A man suspected of being involved in a crash that killed a Vietnam War veteran in Santa Monica is now in custody, authorities said.
Rod Sharif, 30, was arrested Friday at his Santa Monica Canyon home five days after the crash, which happened at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Chelsea Avenue, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. He was arrested on charges of murder and manslaughter, police said.
The victim was walking on Wilshire Boulevard around 6:40 p.m. Sunday when he was struck by a white Toyota RAV4 and sent several feet into the air, according to video and information shared by Santa Monica police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His name has not been released publicly. Authorities have identified him only as a Santa Monica resident and a Vietnam War veteran.
Rod Sharif, 30, was arrested on Friday.
(Santa Monica Police Department)
Eyewitnesses saw the car speeding away from the accident, which made the police search for several days and asked for the public's help to identify the driver. Traffic investigators identified Sharif and on Friday issued search and arrest warrants at his home, police said.
Police said they found a lot of evidence at his residence, including a white Toyota RAV4 with extensive front-end damage.
Sharif has previously been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and reckless driving, according to authorities.
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