PACIFIC PALISADES—The suspect responsible for a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a pedestrian in North Hills has been charged. Mark Christian Johnson, 54, of Escondido, was charged on Thursday, August 25 with one felony count each of hit and run driving resulting in death, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly and vehicular manslaughter.

He fatally struck José Serrano, 63, as he was walking on Sepulveda Boulevard and Parthenia Street on July 30 by the Toyota Prius being driven by Johnson, prosecutors noted.  Johnson’s vehicle sustained damage that was spotted by police in the San Fernanda Valley area and a pursuit ensued.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Johnson lead authorities on a pursuit that ended on the Pacific Coast Highway after police forced his car to stop in Palisades Park in Pacific Palisades.

Arraignment was scheduled in Department S of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, San Fernando Branch. Case PA086994 was filed on August 18. Johnson faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 10 years in state prison if convicted as charge. The case is still under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Traffic Division.