Man arrested after hit and run at Los Angeles boardwalk

A California man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a driver plowed his car into pedestrians on the popular Venice Beach boardwalk, killing an Italian woman on her honeymoon and injuring 11 other people.

Los Angeles police said Nathan Campbell (38) was taken into custody late yesterday after the car involved was found in nearby Santa Monica where they say Mr Campbell lives, and where he later turned himself in.

Witnesses said it appeared the car’s driver had been aiming for pedestrians while driving down the popular oceanside walkway at speeds up to 20 miles per hour (32 kph) while people screamed and scrambled to get out of the way.

Witnesses described the driver as a white man in his mid-20s with sandy blond hair, and the detained suspect fitted that description, said Los Angeles Police Lieutenant Andy Neiman.

"We have a vehicle in custody ... with collision damage consistent with what happened out here," Lieut Neiman said, adding it was a four-door, dark-colored Dodge Avenger.

Witnesses said the car travelled at 30kmh down the oceanside pedestrian walkway at around 6pm, said Brian Humphrey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Police do not know the driver’s motive or if he had been drinking, Lieut Neiman said.

Ten of the 12 people injured were taken to hospitals - two in critical condition, one of whom died, and two in serious condition. Of the eight who sustained minor injuries, two declined hospital treatment, Mr Humphrey said.

Injuries included broken bones, head trauma and soft tissue damage, Mr Humphrey said, adding that more than 100 emergency responders were on scene and crews had set up a triage area to treat those injured.

Local CBS affiliate KCAL9 quoted witnesses as saying the driver appeared to be trying to strike pedestrians.

A man who said he worked at a nearby cafe told NBC4 that he heard what sounded like a car hurtling down an alleyway, followed by screams.

“Firefighters never saw the vehicle and we never saw the driver,” Humphrey said.

The Venice Beach boardwalk is a major tourist attraction known for its eclectic patchwork of shops, restaurants and sporting areas.

In 2003, an elderly man drove his car through a crowded farmers’ market in nearby Santa Monica, killing 10 people and injuring 69.

Reuters