Walter William Larkins IV Arrested For Hit-And-Run

January 15, 2025 ·

Walter William Larkins IV.

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News via email that a suspect has been arrested for a hit-and-run incident that injured a Traffic Services Officer.

The SMPD reported on January 13 at about 6:45 a.m. officers responded to the intersection of Ocean Avenue and California Avenue in response to a call of a hit-and-run of a department employee. Northbound California toward Pacific Coast Highway is closed to vehicular traffic and only accessible by emergency vehicles.

According to witnesses, two National Guard vehicles were traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Ocean Avenue heading down California Ave toward Pacific Coast Highway. Witnesses saw a dark green Toyota Highlander follow the National Guard vehicles on the wrong side of the road and attempt to gain access to evacuation areas in violation of the shutdown.

A SMPD Traffic Services Officer (TSO) approached the Toyota and signaled it needed to stop. The TSO approached the vehicle and attempted to explain to the driver he was not authorized to pass through the checkpoint. The driver of the vehicle did not follow the order and instead continued through the barrier, driving over the TSO’s foot as he left.

Officers monitoring the broadcast of the vehicle description utilized the department’s network of Flock cameras to locate the vehicle in the 2200 Block of Pico Boulevard. The officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and confirmed through statements from the passenger it was the striking vehicle in the hit-and-run. The driver was identified as Walter William Larkins IV, 37.

Larkins, of Malibu, was arrested for Felony Hit and Run (hit-and-run resulting in injury to a person) and several additional violations of vehicle code. The TSO was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for a soft tissue injury.

The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with details related to the incident are asked to contact Investigator Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov, our non-emergency dispatch line at 310-458-8491, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

Next Post

Fire Prevention At Construction Sites In Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, January 14, the city of Beverly Hills posted fire prevention tips at construction sites in the region. The current wildfire activity across LA County raised significant concerns regarding the safety of construction sites, particularly those with unfinished…
Read
Previous Post

Santa Monica Shooting, 200 Broadway, Leaves One Dead

SANTA MONICA—On January 15, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to a call of a shooting between a white or Hispanic (Caucasian) male in his 20s and a black male in his 30s in the…
Read
Random Post

Help Needed To Locate Hiker Denise Elaine Williams

MALIBU—On Wednesday, February 12, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced on its Facebook page it is asking for the public’s help to locate a missing hiker. Denise Elaine Williams, 61, a Caucasian female was last in contact with a…
Read
Random Post

Love Beverly Hills Helps Wildfire Relief

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, February 11, the city of Beverly Hills announced on its Facebook page that from February 9 through February 15, celebrate Valentine’s Day all week long by dining at participating Beverly Hills hotels, restaurants and bars, where a…
Read
Random Post

Bacteria Warnings At Santa Monica And Malibu Beaches

SANTA MONICA—The Los Angeles County Public Health Department continued to warn beachgoers this week after the department released a bacteria alert for Santa Monica, Malibu, and Marina Del Rey beaches on Monday, July 17. Officials cautioned individuals planning to visit…
Read
Random Post

Heavy Rain And Wind In Malibu From Hurricane Hilary

MALIBU—The National Weather Service forecasts that a storm would impact Southern California, bringing heavy rain, high winds, hazardous road, beach and sea conditions, possible power outages Sunday, August 20 through evening Monday, August 21. Hurricane Hillary is moving up the…
Read