Suspect In Fatal Hit-and-Run Of Vietnam Vet In Santa Monica Arrested

SANTA MONICA, CA — A 30-year-old man suspected of a hit-and-run collision that killed a pedestrian was taken into custody after investigators executed search and arrest warrants at the man's residence Friday.

Los Angeles resident Rod Sharif was arrested and booked Friday on suspicion of murder and felony hit-and-run. Sharif also has previous arrests for allegedly driving under the influence of an intoxicant and reckless driving, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

Officers responded near the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Chelsea Avenue around 6:40 p.m. Sunday to reports regarding a collision involving a pedestrian who was crossing southbound on Chelsea Avenue moments before a white Toyota Rav4 SUV traveling eastbound on Wilshire Boulevard at a high rate of speed struck the woman.

``Tragically, the victim, a Vietnam War veteran, and Santa Monica resident, was pronounced deceased at the scene," police said in a statement.

The collision was under investigation by the Major Accident Response Team, assisted by the Traffic Investigations Unit, SWAT and Criminal Investigations Division detectives. They collaborated on Friday to execute a search warrant, recovering several pieces of evidence from Sharif's residence and noting what appeared to be front-end damage to his vehicle.

Anyone with additional information about the fatal hit-and-run collision was urged to email Investigator Evan Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov or Investigator Lantz Lewis at Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov. Tipsters can also call the non-emergency dispatch line at 310-458-8491 or the watch commander at 310-458-8427.

City News Service