SANTA MONICA, CA — The family of Sherese Allen, a 25-year-old woman who was fatally struck while resting on the beach, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Santa Monica, accusing it of failing to restrict vehicle access to the area properly.
The tragic incident occurred on the night of October 17, 2024, near the Santa Monica Pier. According to police reports, Allen was lying on the sand when 21-year-old Yuyang Sun drove onto the beach and began speeding in circles. He struck Allen and trapped her beneath the vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries.
Sun, a Chinese national, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter. However, he vanished just days after posting bail. Authorities believe he fled to China after failing to surrender his passport and wear a court-ordered ankle monitor.
The family’s attorney, Elise Sanguinetti, says the city shares responsibility for Allen’s death due to its long-standing failure to implement basic safety measures that would prevent vehicle access to public beaches—despite previous incidents. “Sherese should not have died this way. This lawsuit is about preventing another family from suffering the same pain,” she stated.
The suit alleges that Santa Monica has ignored the ongoing risk posed by vehicles on its beaches, endangering both residents and visitors. Allen’s family is demanding justice and urgent reforms to improve coastal safety.
