A Los Angeles man has been arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of a Vietnam War veteran in Santa Monica. The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) disclosed the arrest of 30-year-old Rod Sharif, who is now facing charges of murder and felony hit and run following the Dec. 22 incident.
The collision, which led to the death of an unnamed Santa Monica resident, occurred approximately at 6:40 p.m. at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Chelsea Avenue. According to KTLA, the victim was southbound across Wilshire when struck by a white Toyota Rav4 traveling eastbound. The vehicle reportedly fled the scene at high speed, a detail confirmed by multiple witness accounts and surveillance footage.
Investigators, aided by the surveillance footage, managed to trace the suspect to Sharif. Serving search and arrest warrants on Dec. 27 at his Santa Monica Canyon home, as per the police statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles, officers recovered "multiple items of evidence" and the damaged white Toyota Rav4. It was noted, after days of investigation, that the front-end damage on the vehicle appeared to be consistent with the collision's aftermath.
Further complicating Sharif's situation, CBS Los Angeles reports that he has a history of driving offenses, including prior arrests for driving under the influence and reckless driving. While the victim's name remains withheld at this time, authorities have identified her as a Vietnam War veteran who resided in Santa Monica.
The SMPD continues their investigation and urges those with any additional information to come forward. Contact information for investigator Raleigh at [email protected], investigator Lewis at [email protected], or the 24-hour Watch Commander at 310-458-8427 has been made available, per KTLA.
