HOLLYWOOD—Kristopher Ryan Smith, 40, of Norwalk was charged on Tuesday, July 9 for the hit-and-run death of an Australian in Hollywood in April 2019, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Smith was charged with one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.
He was expected to appear in court on July 9 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Smith struck 56-year-old Andrew Mallard with his car, while Mallard was walking across Sunset Boulevard at Formosa Avenue a on April 18. Smith is also accused of fleeing the scene in his car.
The defendant faces a maximum of four years in state prison if found guilty. The prosecutor recommended a bail at $50,000.
According to video, the victim was seen crossing the street when a car struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Smith turned himself into authorities on April 23 to Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Station. Jail records show that he later posted bail and was released.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, West Traffic Division.
