Australian Businessman Arrested in Deadly Hit & Run, Victim Id'd

WEST HOLLYWOOD ( KTLA) -- An Australian businessman has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of a 21-year-old woman who was struck and killed by a Bentley while crossing Sunset Boulevard.

Ryan Bowman, 43, was being booked on suspicion of manslaughter after surrendering Thursday afternoon to deputies at the sheriff's West Hollywood station.

Meantime, the coroner's office has identified the 21-year old victim.

Authorities say Lauren Ann Freeman had just left a concert at the Roxy Theatre when she and a group of friends crossed Sunset Blvd. at Hammond St. to reach a taxi around 11:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Freeman was in a crosswalk when she was struck by a dark-colored Bentley and thrown more than 50 feet.

Freeman died at the scene.

No one else was hurt.

Some witnesses said they thought the traffic light was green for east-west traffic on Sunset Boulevard, but others said it was red, giving pedestrians crossing southbound the right of way.

The vehicle was found along Westmount Drive, west of La Cienega Blvd., several hours later.

The engine was still running.

Late Thursday, Bowman turned himself in.

"Bowman's attorney contacted us and surrendered client to West Hollywood detectives," said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

"He invoked his 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination and we booked him on [charges of] vehicular manslaughter."

Whitmore said alcohol "most likely played a role in this tragic event."