By Lookout Staff

April 1, 2024 -- A pedestrian was struck and killed by a car near the Santa Monica Pier early Monday morning, marking third pedestrian death this year.

The accident took place at around 5:30 a.m. near the Pier entrance at the intersection of Ocean and Colorado avenues, according to police.

"The driver of the vehicle remained at the location and is actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation," said Lt. Erika Aklufi.

"Regrettably, the pedestrian was declared deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending."

Crashes involving pedestrians that resulted in injuries have spiked in the city after a steep drop in 2020 due to the COVID shutdown, according to data from the Transportation Department.

There were 54 injury crashes in 2020, followed by 81 in 2021 and 95 in 2022. Data for last year have not been released.

Before Monday's fatal crash, two pedestrians had died this year, both of them homeless women.

One pedestrian, who was struck by a car on Christmas Eve, died of her injuries two weeks later. The victim was crossing southbound on 4th Street at approximately 7:52 p.m., when she was struck by a 2017 Toyota Tundra traveling westbound, according to police.

On January 13, a woman in her fifties was killed by a car as she walked across Lincoln Boulevard, police said ("Second Pedestrian in a Month Killed in Saturday Crash," January 16, 2024).

The rise in collisions involving pedestrians -- as well as high profile crashes involving bicyclists -- have prompted the Council to act and police to boost traffic safety operations ("Bicycle Safety Focus of Council Item, Police Operation," November 13, 2023).

In the seven safety operations held by the Police Department between September 1 and December 31, 2023, five pedestrians were stopped and none of them were cited, according to SMPD data.

Under bill AB 2147, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2022, pedestrians are allowed to cross a street against a traffic light or outside a crosswalk without receiving a ticket.

"Freedom to Walk Act" allows officers to cite pedestrians only if there is an immediate hazard.

Police advise pedestrians to "be predictable," "use crosswalks, when available and "be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night."