A victim has died after being struck by an SUV that was being driven on the beach in Santa Monica late Thursday night.
The incident was reported around 11:30 p.m. when a silver SUV was seen driving on the sand near the Santa Monica Pier.
“I just happened to be looking that way and I see these lights coming around the corner of the bathroom and it got stuck,” said one witness, who was staying on the beach overnight.
The man said two or three kids got out of the SUV and tried to push it out of the sand.
Video showed the SUV remained stuck when emergency crews arrived and tried to help the victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the unidentified victim was lying on the sand, possibly asleep, at the time of the crash.
It was unclear if the victim was homeless but there is a makeshift encampment at the beach. Several tents were seen in the area as the investigation was underway Friday morning.
The driver, who was not identified but did have a license, stayed at the scene and was taken into custody on unknown charges.
It was unclear if drugs or alcohol were involved but it is illegal to drive on the sand.
A large portion of the beach was blocked off by police tape during the investigation.
