Crime & Safety

[Updated] Driver in Fatal Hit and Run in Weho Turns Himself In

Ryan Bowman surrenders to West Hollywood Sheriff's for fatal hit and run in Weho Wednesday night.

[Updated 5:40 p.m.] A businessman from Australia has surrendered to West Hollywood Sheriff's deputies in connection with the hit and run accident on Sunset on Wednesday that killed Lauren Ann Freeman.

Ryan Bowman, 34, was accompanied by his lawyer when he surrendered Thursday at the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station. He was booked on suspicion of manslaughter, a sheriff's spokesperson said. 

Freeman, 21, was struck and killed around 11:50 p.m. Wednesday as she tried to cross Sunset Boulevard at Hammond Street.

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It is believed that alcohol was involved, according to Capt. Mike Parker of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau. 

"This is a tragedy for everyone involved.  Our hearts go out to the grieving family of Lauren Freeman," said West Hollywood Sheriff's Station Capt. Kelley Fraser in a statement. 

Bowman is listed in his public business profile on LinkedIn as the CEO and founder of Zeal Entertainment, a media production and distribution company that has business partnerships with Girls Gone Wild. 

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City News Service was used in compiling this report. 

[Updated 11 a.m.] The female victim involved in the fatal hit and run has been identified as Hollywood resident Lauren Ann Freeman, according to Lt. Brian Elias of the L.A. County Coroner's office. 

[Updated 10 a.m.] KTLA is reporting that the abandoned vehicle was found in West Hollywood on Westmount Drive, west of La Cienega Boulevard, but the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station says it cannot confirm or deny the information at this time because deputies are still conducting an investigation. 

[Updated 9:45 a.m.] Sgt. Chris Tatar from the West Hollywood's Sheriff's Station says it is possible the vehicle involved in the fatal hit and run may have been located. Full details have not been released.

A woman was fatally struck and killed Wednesday night on Sunset Boulevard while walking in a crosswalk. Deputies are searching for a hit and run driver and say the vehicle may be a gray or black Bentley, said Sgt. Chris Tatar of the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station.

The accident occurred around 11:50 p.m. Wednesday at Sunset Boulevard and Hammond Street. Streets were closed off for hours while deputies conducted an investigation.

The 21-year-old woman is described as Caucasian and it is believed she was leaving the on Wednesday night, Tatar told Weho Patch.

Deputies believe the vehicle they are searching for is a Bentley but they don't have a license plate number and don't know whether there was more than one driver in the vehicle. Investigators are checking to see whether nearby businesses have surveillance video of the incident, Tatar said.

The L.A. County Coroner's Office said the victim's family has yet to be notified.

If you saw anything Wednesday night, contact the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station at 310-855-8850.


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