DOWNTOWN — Santa Monica police officers questioned the driver of the Camaro believed to have been involved in the deadly crash that killed a Santa Monica resident early Saturday morning, but he was not immediately arrested.
“We found the other driver of the vehicle,” said SMPD Sgt. Jay Trisler. “He was interviewed and cooperative.”
Police said the driver of the Camaro fled the scene of the accident and ditched the car. Officers found it a short time later with no one inside. The car was impounded as evidence. It was unclear if the vehicle owner was the driver.
Anupam Sanyal, 23, of Santa Monica, whose westbound car apparently sideswiped the other, died when his vehicle veered off the road and struck a palm tree on the north side of Wilshire Boulevard near 20th Street about 3 a.m. Saturday, according to police and coroner's investigator.
Once traffic detectives finish their investigation, they will turn it over to prosecutors, who will decide what charges, if any, the driver who allegedly fled the scene will face.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the racing or the crash to call them at (310) 458-8495.
ashley@www.smdp.com