Former 'Baywatch' star David Charvet has spoken out following a heartbreaking incident in which his truck struck and killed a dog in a Malibu neighborhood earlier this week.
According to law enforcement sources, the accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on April 16 while Charvet was driving through a gated community. A spokesperson for the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Department described the incident as accidental, noting that dogs were reportedly off-leash and ran into the roadway.
"It sounds like it was accidental and that the dogs were off leash and ran into the roadway," the spokesperson told People magazine. "[Charvet] tried to swerve to avoid hitting them."
Charvet's representative provided additional details to TMZ, explaining that the 53-year-old actor was driving slowly when he encountered a woman with her dogs in the street. Though Charvet reportedly moved to the side to pass safely, "one of the dogs moved under the vehicle."
"He's a responsible dog owner who would never intentionally harm an animal," Charvet's representative emphasized.
The actor immediately called 911 and remained at the scene, fully cooperating with authorities. His representative added that Charvet's "thoughts are with the family who lost their dog."
However, the dog's owner, Vera Errico, presented a different account to TMZ. She claimed she was walking her three dogs on leashes when Charvet's pickup truck struck her 11-year-old white English Labrador named Sunday. Errico alleged that Charvet drove out of the community before stopping to call authorities.
Errico and her husband rushed Sunday to a veterinarian, but the dog's injuries were severe enough to require euthanasia. The couple subsequently filed a report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office regarding an alleged hit-and-run.
Police sources told TMZ they do not consider the incident a hit-and-run since Charvet reported it to authorities. An investigation remains ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events.
Charvet, best known for his roles on 'Baywatch' and 'Melrose Place,' has largely stepped away from acting in recent years to focus on his construction company and family life. In a 2025 interview with People, he explained his career shift:
"It was one way for me to leave Hollywood and to still be creative. It was also one way for me to ensure that I would be home every morning and home every night so that I could raise my two children."
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident as both parties await further developments.