Suspect ID'd After Man Killed In Crash On Santa Monica Beach

SANTA MONICA, CA — A suspect is in custody after a woman was fatally hit by an SUV that was being driven on the beach in Santa Monica Thursday night, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

Police found the victim — a woman believed to have been homeless — wedged beneath a 2015 Infiniti on the sand near the 1400 Block of the Beach around 11:30 p.m.

The woman was unconscious when officers arrived and despite the Santa Monica Fire Department's efforts to reach her and provide aid, she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The vehicle was lifted and the woman, who has yet to be identified, was extricated.

"The Santa Monica Police Department Major Accident Response Team remains on scene actively investigating the incident," police said in a news release Friday.

The driver, 21-year-old Yuyang Sun from Arcadia, remained on the scene. He was reported to have been driving in circles at high speeds on the sand when he ran over the victim, according to police.

Following a DUI investigation, the suspect was arrested and preliminarily charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident or suspect to contact the Watch Commander's desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

Correction: A previous edition of this story cited reports which identified the victim as a man.