Alleged Hit-And-Run Drunk Driver To Appear In Court Today

SANTA MONICA, CA – A hit-and-run driver who allegedly killed a pedestrian near the Santa Monica Civic Center will face a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with a trial today. Absadi Tewelde Kidane, 21, was charged with three felony counts for killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence and then fleeing from the scene.

Kidane pleaded not guilty to one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter and resisting an executive officer, along with allegations that he fled the scene of the crash, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Kidane allegedly struck Donald Thomas Jr., 40, of Hawthorne, with his vehicle in March as Thomas was paying for parking at a kiosk adjacent to the Santa Monica courthouse in the 1800 block of Main Street near Olympic Boulevard. Kidane allegedly fled the scene, struck another vehicle then ran from police, said Deputy District Attorney Sarika Kim.

"Several witnesses described the suspect vehicle as entering the parking lot from Fourth Street and (proceeding) westbound at a high rate of speed," Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez said. "The vehicle continued through a parking gate and struck a pedestrian standing at a pay parking booth. The vehicle continued across Main Street and struck a parked car. The suspect driver exited the vehicle and fled the location. Officers gave chase and confronted the suspect at the 300 block of Pico Boulevard. The suspect was taken into custody following a struggle with officers."

Thomas was taken to a hospital, where he died, authorities said. The father of the man killed by suspected drunken driver was angry and said he don't know how to move forward.

“This really burns me up to know that someone would treat my son like a piece of trash, run him over in the street and just leave him there and take off; that hurts,” Donald Thomas Sr. told CBS2. “He was my only son.”

City News Service and Patch Staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post

Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Police Department