SANTA MONICA—Officials from the Santa Monica Police Department are asking for the public’s help to locate the person responsible for a fatal hit-and run traffic collision.

The SMPD reported that on Friday, March 15, at about 8:30 p.m., officers responded to a radio call for service at the 2700 block of 3rd Street regarding a Hit-and-Run Traffic Collision involving a motorized scooter and vehicle. After officers arrived on the scene, they found a 41-year-old male victim being treated by paramedics from the Santa Monica Fire Department with significant head and body trauma. The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later died from injuries sustained. The victim was declared dead at 9:05 p.m. March 15, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner.

The SMPD’s Major Accident Response Team arrived on the scene to conduct an investigation. A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was riding a personally owned electric scooter (“City Hopper”) southbound on 3rd Street when for unknown reasons he fell onto the roadway. While on the roadway, he was struck by a car traveling southbound on 3rd Street. The driver stopped and exited his vehicle, but fled the scene before first responders arrived.

The suspect’s vehicle is described as an older model off white or tan 4-door sedan, possibly a Toyota Camry with possible damage to the front passenger’s side of the car. The driver is believed to be a Caucasian male, 30-40 years old, 6 feet and 2 inches tall. He has a medium build, shaved head or short hair and was wearing prescription glasses.

Canyon News spoke to Lt. Saul Rodriguez of the Santa Monica Police Department via email about the case. When asked if there were any new leads in the case, Lt Rodriguez replied, “[There is] nothing new since yesterday’s release.” He added that authorities are still unclear why the scooter rider fell on the roadway. Lt. Rodriguez also noted that he was not aware of any new witnesses in the case.

The SMPD is asking anyone who was in the region at the time of the incident to contact Investigator Scott Pace Pace at (310) 458-8954 or call the SMPDat (310) 458-8495.