INSIDE
Wallis Annenberg, Visionary Philanthropist and Civic Leader, Dies at 86 smmirror.com
August 1 - August 7, 2025 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
See Page 6
Family Members Sue City of Santa Monica, Driver After Woman Killed by Car on Beach Lawsuit Alleges City Failed to Prevent Vehicle Access Despite Prior Incidents
The family of Sherese Allen, a woman fatally struck by a vehicle while resting on the beach last fall, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Santa Monica, alleging the city’s negligence created a hazardous environment that contributed to her death. The complaint, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that the city failed to implement adequate measures to prevent vehicles from accessing the beach, despite a history of similar incidents. It also names the driver, Yuyang Sun, and several individuals associated with him as defendants. According to the lawsuit, Allen was
lying on the sand near Santa Monica Beach on October 17, 2024, when Sun allegedly drove his vehicle onto the beach and began making high-speed circular motions in the sand. The complaint alleges that Sun, without regard for others present, struck Allen and trapped her beneath the vehicle. She died as a result of her injuries. The plaintiffs, identified as Eugenia Tate and Antron Allen, argue that the city, which maintains jurisdiction over the beach area,
failed to install barriers or warning systems that could have prevented unauthorized vehicle access to the area. The complaint states that previous incidents and fatalities involving vehicles on the beach should have prompted city officials to take corrective action. “Eugenia Tate and Antron Allen are Sherese’s surviving parents and were heartbroken to learn of their daughter’s death,” said attorney Elise Sanguinetti of
Arias Sanguinetti. “Yuyang San killed her, and the City of Santa Monica allowed it to happen. The biggest reason for this lawsuit is to convince Santa Monica to finally make the beach safe so that this never happens again.” Before initiating the lawsuit, Allen’s family filed a formal government claim in March 2025, a required step in seeking legal redress from a public agency. The case is Eugenia Tate and Antron Allen v. The City of Santa Monica, Yuyang Sun, Liang Tang, Jie Ding, in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
City of Santa Monica Issues Statement on Surprise DTSM Board Member Replacement Santa Monica Defends Emergency Action and Process
After the surprising move from the City Council, six members of Downtown Santa Monica’s board, all of whom were appointed by the City, were abruptly fired, and six new members were installed during the City Council meeting on Tuesday. Santa Monica’s City Council press representative stated, via email, “The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday approved an emergency motion to replace six councilappointed members of the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., or DTSM, Board of Directors. The City Council, consistent with DTSM’s bylaws, state law, and the council’s rules and procedures, also voted to appoint six interim board members and initiate a formal recruitment process for permanent appointees. Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis and Councilmembers Dan Hall and Barry Snell brought forward the motion, which was heard as a special meeting item before Tuesday’s regularly scheduled agenda.
In a memo sent to the city manager, the three council members stated that the emergency action was necessary ahead of
the appointment of a new CEO to “ensure that DTSM is better positioned to serve the public interest, respond to evolving
downtown challenges, and become a more effective and aligned city partner moving forward.”