Driver identified who mowed down pedestrians on Venice boardwalk, killing 1 and injuring 11

A horrific scene yesterday as Nathan Louis Campbell mowed down pedestrians on Venice Boardwalk with a Dodge Avenger. Witnesses say he was swerving on the boardwalk, trying to hit as many people as he possibly could at very high speeds. He killed 1 and injured 11, one of whom is in critical condition:

ABC 7 – Police have made an arrest after a driver mowed down pedestrians at the popular Venice Beach boardwalk, killing one person and injuring nearly a dozen others.

Los Angeles police identified the suspect as 38-year-old Nathan Louis Campbell. He was booked for investigation of murder and was being held on $1 million bail. …

Detectives confirmed that the victim killed in the incident was on her honeymoon. She died at a local hospital.

The City News Service identified the victim as 32-year-old Alice Gruppioni from Italy. The coroner’s office has not confirmed this with Eyewitness News.

Of the 11 injured, one person was reported in critical condition, two were said to be in serious condition and eight others reported minor injuries. Emergency officials said all patients were pedestrians along the boardwalk.

Surveillance video from the Candle Cafe & Grill shows the suspect before the incident. He is seen calmly parking his car around 6 p.m., then walking off for a short time. Minutes later, he is seen getting back inside the car. Suddenly, the car lurches forward toward the boardwalk. Another angle of the footage shows the car speeding around the corner before disappearing from sight.

Investigators say the motive remains unknown.

Witnesses say the driver swerved back and forth, as if trying to hit as many people as possible.

“He had to have pressed his foot to the gas, pedal to the metal, because his tires started screeching,” said witness Landon Blackburn. “I saw him, and he was looking for blood. That guy, his intention was to kill people.”

The vehicle was later located in a Santa Monica neighborhood. Authorities believe the driver ditched the car after the deadly collision. Sources say the person then surrendered to the Santa Monica Police Department.


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