19-Year-Old In Critical Condition After Alleged DUI Crash

SANTA MONICA, CA — A 19-year-old was in critical condition Tuesday after he was struck by an alleged drunken driver in Santa Monica on Friday, police announced Monday.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers were dispatched to the intersection of 26th Street and Wilshire Boulevard after receiving a report about a traffic collision. The witness told police that a Volkswagen Jetta drove off the road and hit a person sitting on a bus bench.

When officers arrived to the area, they found the victim suffering from severe traumatic injuries to both of his legs. Paramedics transported the 19-year-old to UCLA Medical Center where he remains in critical condition, officers said.

Officers determined that the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as 35-year-old John Edward Alevizos, was driving under the influence of alcohol. Due to the victim's severe injuries, Alevizos was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.