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# Police looking for hit-and-run driver
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/police-looking-for-hit-and-run-driver/
- Published: 2008-05-31T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T19:44:47.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Crime, Ocean Park, #archive-import, Homeless

*By DAILY PRESS STAFF*

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY A 60-year-old homeless man is dead, the victim of a hit-and-run, and police are asking the public for help in finding the driver responsible.

The vehicle involved has been described as a late model Toyota Corolla or Nissan Sentra, dark blue or black in color. Due to the collision, the vehicle should have damage to its front end and possibly its windshield, said Sgt. Renaldi Thruston, public information officer for the Santa Monica Police Department.

The vehicle was last seen exiting the Albertsons parking lot at 2627 Lincoln Blvd. just prior to the collision.

The collision occurred on Wednesday, May 21 at around 12:08 a.m. The 60-year-old homeless man, identified as John Cameron Wallen, was struck while jaywalking across Lincoln, just north of Ocean Park Boulevard. After the impact the suspect’s vehicle fled the scene without stopping or rendering aid to Wallen, Thruston said.

Paramedics from the Santa Monica Fire Department transported Wallen to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition and placed on life support. On Thursday Wallen succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital.

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run is encouraged to call SMPD investigator Chris Dawson at (310) 458-8954 or the watch commander at (310) 458-8427\. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 31, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/053108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)