Man Charged With Three Felonies For Pedestrian's Death In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA -- A 21-year-old man was charged Thursday with three felony counts for allegedly killing a pedestrian in Santa Monica while driving under the influence and then fleeing from the scene.

Absadi Tewelde 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 around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday 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.

Kidane remains jailed in lieu of $10 million bail, according to jail records.

He is due back at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles on April 21, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the SMPD