Malibu Resident Faces Felony Charges After Driving Through Checkpoint
A Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) employee was injured in a hit-and-run incident early Saturday morning, prompting an investigation and subsequent arrest of the driver.
Around 6:45 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Ocean Avenue and California Avenue after a report of a hit-and-run involving a department Traffic Services Officer (TSO). The northbound lanes of California Avenue toward Pacific Coast Highway remain closed to non-emergency vehicles.
Witnesses reported two National Guard vehicles traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Ocean Avenue, followed by a dark green Toyota Highlander. The Toyota reportedly attempted to access restricted evacuation areas in violation of road closures.
When the TSO approached the vehicle and directed the driver to stop, the individual continued through the checkpoint, driving over the officer’s foot.
Using the department’s Flock camera network, officers located the Toyota in the 2200 block of Pico Boulevard. A traffic stop was conducted, and statements from a passenger confirmed the vehicle’s involvement in the incident.
The driver, identified as Walter William Larkins IV, 37, of Malibu, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing injury and multiple other vehicle code violations.
The injured officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a soft tissue injury.
The incident remains under investigation. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Investigator Evan Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov, the non-emergency dispatch line at 310-458-8491, or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
