Two Drivers Arrested in Death of WeHo Man in Beverly Hills

Correction: An earlier version of this story erred in stating that Malahi was divorced. He was separated from his wife. The story has been changed to reflect that.

The drivers of two vehicles that left the scene after allegedly fatally striking a West Hollywood man in Beverly Hills in August have been arrested, one of them as she prepared to board a flight out of the country, police said today.

The victim — identified by the coroner’s office as Eliezer Malahi, 58, of West Hollywood — was killed about 10:55 p.m. Aug. 25 after getting out of his car in the 300 block of North Crescent Drive, according to Beverly Hills police.

Officers called to the scene found him lying unconscious in the road and started CPR until paramedics arrived, Beverly Hills police Lt. Lincoln Hoshino said.

Malahi was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Hoshino said. Based on witness statements and video evidence, investigators believed the victim was struck by two vehicles, Hoshino said.

“Utilizing surveillance video and physical evidence left at the scene, investigators were able to identify the two vehicles that were involved in the fatal collision,” he said.

Both vehicles were located and impounded last weekend, and on Wednesday investigators arrested Tony Sun Jae Jung, 45, of Santa Clarita. His bail was set at $100,000 and he posted bond on Thursday, Hoshino said.

Also on Thursday, Sue Young Sohn, 46, of Irvine was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport as she waited to board a flight to Seoul, South Korea, for which she had a one-way ticket purchased the previous day, Hoshino said.

The woman had a pre-arranged appointment to meet investigators on Thursday, Hoshino said.

Sohn’s bail was set at $5 million and she remains in custody, Hoshino said. She was already on probation in Orange County for prior DUI convictions, the lieutenant said.

Sohn was due to be arraigned today on charges of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, hit and run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person, driving with a suspended or revoked privilege because of a DUI conviction and driving with a privilege that was suspended or revoked due to a failed blood alcohol test, Hoshino said.

Prosecutors have deferred filing charges against Jung, who is due in court on Nov. 30, Hoshino said.

“Investigators believe that Jung and Sohn left a local Beverly Hills restaurant in separate cars just prior to the fatal collision,” Hoshino said. “Jung and Sohn are believed to be the drivers of the two vehicles that ultimately struck and killed the victim. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the cause of the fatal collision.” Police say the suspects are known to be friends.

His death left Malahi’s children, 19 and 11, without any money to support themselves. Malahi’s wife has started an online campaign to raise money to help them.