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Man Arrested In Deadly Hit-And-Run At Venice Beach Boardwalk

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Sunday released the identity of a Los Angeles man accused of plowing his vehicle into a crowd of people at the Venice Beach boardwalk, killing one person and injuring 11 others.

Nathan Louis Campbell, 38, was booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of a woman on Saturday evening after a crash along the popular tourist hub, according to KNX 1070's Ed Mertz. Campbell's bail was set at $1 million.

Man Arrested In Deadly Hit-And-Run At Venice Beach Boardwalk

"They booked him on a murder charge. Further charges will come when they consult with the District Attorney," Robert Long, a robbery homicide detective, said.

The deceased was identified by coroner's investigator Kristy McCracken as 32-year-old Alice Gruppioni of Italy, according to City News Service. An autopsy on the Gruppioni's body is pending.

Witnesses told Mertz that Gruppioni was on her honeymoon. According to Mertz, the couple married two weeks ago in Bologna, Italy.

Eleven other victims, who were injured, ranged in age from 19 to 75. Ten of the victims, including the deceased, were taken to area hospitals. A second person remains in critical condition.

About an hour after the 6 p.m. accident, police said the suspect walked into a police station in Santa Monica and surrendered.

He was subsequently transferred to the Los Angeles Police Department where he was reportedly questioned all night, according to CBS2's Joy Benedict.

Security footage obtained by CBS2 showed the suspect getting into his car and driving away.

Moments later, the suspect vehicle can be seen careening into a crowd. Another store captured images of people scrambling to get out of the way as the vehicle finally slowed a few minutes later.

The suspect vehicle was recovered about a mile from the crash scene at Ocean Park Boulevard and Beverly Avenue in Santa Monica. As a precautionary measure, police dispatched bomb-sniffing dogs.

Witnesses to the crash said the driver seemed to be in control of the vehicle and appeared to be "deliberately" trying to hit people.

"This guy had an intent to create mayhem and massacre a lot of people," Dave Blackburn, one witness, said. Another, identified as Elizabeth Adams, described the accident as "horrific" and said, "people flying everywhere. It looked like something out of a movie."

A day-long fundraiser for the victims will be held on Monday, Aug. 5 at the Candle Café and Grill at 325 Ocean Front Walk. Click here for more information.

RELATED STORY: Witnesses: Driver Was 'Out For Blood' In Venice Boardwalk Crash That Killed 1, Injured 11

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