EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Mallard, who spent 12 years in a WA jail after being wrongfully convicted of murder, has been killed in a hit-and-run crash in Los Angeles.

He had been living in the United Kingdom but regularly visited friends in the United States.

It is believed Mr Mallard was walking across a street in Hollywood about 1.30am local time Thursday when he was struck by a car.

The driver did not stop to help and despite efforts by a bystander to provide CPR until emergency services arrived Mr Mallard died at the scene, officers in LA say.

The 56-year-old was exonerated by the High Court in 2006 of wilfully murdering Mosman Park jeweller Pamela Lawrence in 1994.

He later received a $3.25 million settlement from the State Government.

Camera Icon Andrew Mallard. Credit: Steve Ferrier

Attorney-General John Quigley, who led the fight to clear Mr Mallard’s name, said today he was terribly saddened by the tragedy.

“It’s just fortunate that he got to spend 13 years of freedom after so much time wrongfully imprisoned,” he said.

Mr Mallard’s family are being assisted by the Australian consulate in the US.

On Friday afternoon, WA Police released a statement extending their condolences to Mr Mallard’s family.

“WA Police have been advised of the death of Mr Andrew Mallard in Los Angeles,” the spokesperson said.

“We have notified Mr Mallard’s family in Western Australia and we extend our condolences to them at this difficult time.”