Santa Monica police are asking for the public’s help in locating a hit-and-run driver following a collision with a pedestrian at the intersection of 5th Street and Colorado in the early morning hours of Saturday.
SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said officers responded to the intersection at 12:57 a.m. on June 23.
“The initial investigation revealed that the driver of the suspect vehicle was traveling eastbound on Colorado Avenue approaching 5th Street,” Lewis said. “The pedestrian, who was later identified as victim Roger Slifer, was crossing 5th Street in the north crosswalk of Colorado Avenue when he was struck by the suspect vehicle while the vehicle was making a left turn onto 5th Street. Mr. Slifer sustained major head and body trauma and was transported to a local trauma center, where he is currently in critical condition.”
Lewis said the driver of the vehicle failed to stop for the collision and continued northbound on 5th Street to Broadway where they turned right and continued eastbound out of sight.
The suspect vehicle is described as a late 1990’s to early 2000 sedan, white in color with a sunroof and tinted rear windows. The vehicle may have damage to the right front corner. At this time, there is no information regarding the driver.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Jason Olson at 310.458.8954 or Sergeant Phillbo Rubish at 310.458.8950 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1.800.78.27463), or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com. You will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward, up to $1,000, if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.
Or, anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers by either calling 800.222.TIPS (8477) or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. To text an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers; please view their webpage for detailed instructions. If the information leads to an arrest, the tipster is eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000.
