Pedestrian Hit on Downtown Sidewalk by Elderly Driver [Updated]

A pedestrian was hospitalized at a local trauma center Friday afternoon after she was struck by an elderly driver who lost control of his car, the police said.

The 20-year-old woman was walking on the sidewalk of Arizona Avenue when she was hit around 1:45 p.m. near Second Street, according to Santa Monica Police Department.

The 89-year-old driver had been traveling north on Second Street, and when he reached Arizona Street he continued against a red light, spokesman Sgt. Richard Lewis 

Another vehicle hit the SUV, sending it up onto the sidewalk.

"Two pedestrians were able to get out of the way," Lewis said. "A third pedestrian, a 20-year-old female, was struck."

The woman landed on top of the SUV's hood. The car continued for about half a block and struck two palm trees, knocking them down. She was ejected about 50 feet when the driver smashed into a parking meter, Lewis said.

The woman was expected to survive.

The driver was cooperating with investigators, according to Lewis.

"It's not a hit-and-run," he said. "It's just one of those bad accidents."

— City News Service contributed to this report.

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