bay area cycling news

The driver who allegedly swerved into four cyclists during the Marin Jesie Gran Fondo and then sped off has been arrested, reports SF Gate .  Thankfully a motorcyclist had a dashcam on his helmet and captured details of the pickup truck that struck the cyclists, which greatly helped CHP make the arrest. The Press Democrat has some more details , as well as a bit more historical commentary on Marin's auto-cyclist road rage incidents.

Police Detective Sal Madrigal said the unidentified driver of a white Volvo was traveling southwest on Oregon Expressway and made a right-hand turn onto Cowper Street when he or she collided with the victim and sped away. Read a bit more on the Palo Alto Online website. If you have information about the hit-and-run, please call the Palo Alto Police Department at 650-329-2413.

The Santa Cruz Patch reports that due to community efforts, the burgundy Nissan that was involved in the hit-and-run death of cyclist Zachary Parke on the UC Santa Cruz campus last week was found. "However, they have held back further details while the investigation continues."

A 25 year old bicyclist is the probable victim of a hit-and-run early this morning near the UC Santa Cruz campus on Empire Grade Road. The body was found by a passing cyclist around 8am today. Pieces of debris indicate the the car could be a maroon or burgundy Nissan. From the Santa Cruz Sentinel : Pudge said the driver of a maroon or burgundy Nissan is suspected of hitting the cyclist on Tuesday night or this morning. Pieces of the car's headlight were found at the scene, as well as paint chips, bicycle parts and other debris. ... Law enforcement officers are looking for the car and driver. CHP officer Sarah Jackson said the Nissan likely has a damaged headlight, side mirror, fender or other damaged areas on its front end. Please keep an eye out for a damaged red Nissan and call the CHP if you have any information; 831-622-0511 or 831-796-2160.

The Mercury News is reporting that a San Jose man, David Garcia, was hit and dragged by a car around 10am Sunday morning near Crucero Drive and Dubert Lane in San Jose. He's now in a coma and the police are looking for the car. Josette Garcia said her brother was bicycling, with no helmet, about 9:30 a.m., home after a trip to Jack's Liquor Store, where his parents had asked him to buy lottery tickets. Apparently, people from an apartment complex near McLaughlin Avenue saw what happened, Josette Garcia said, and pulled her brother out of the street. Police asked anyone with information about this hit-and-run to contact the San Jose Police Department's Traffic Investigation Unit at 408-277-4654.

A cyclist was injured while turning in traffic in santa Cruz yesterday. Just before 4 p.m., a 63-year-old Santa Cruz man was turning left from Water Street on to Front Street. He made a hand signal but collided with a small sedan, said Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend. Santa Cruz police ask anyone with information on the incident to call investigations at 420-5820 or the anonymous tip line at 831-420-5995. Read more at the Mercury News .

Contra Costa Times and the Santa Cruz Sentinel are both reporting that information is desired in a Watsonville hit-and-run Monday morning: The cyclist had minor injuries from the collision and was not transported to the hospital, CHP officer Sarah Jackson said. The Toyota damaged its ride side mirror, and it was last seen headed toward southbound Highway 1, Jackson said. The CHP asks anyone with information on the incident to call [831] 796-2100. Read the sparse details on Contra Costa Times' website .

The driver of a blue Nissan Rogue hit three male bicyclists before hitting a fourth victim and then crashing into a light pole and a parked Jeep Cherokee at the corner of 17th and Missouri streets. The motorist then fled from the vehicle on foot. Read more at the SF Chronicle .

San Jose Bike Party is looking for eyewitness accounts of a March 19 hit and run. This incident occurred on Race St on Friday, March 19th. The fact that this happened on the ride where we were honoring Joshua Ryan West who was killed by a driver on Feb. 1, 2010 is especially ironic.

An arrest was made in last year's hit-and-run accident involving Ashleigh Jackson: The Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff has arrested Saratoga resident Robert Paul Schiro in connection with last year's hit-and-run collision on Highway 9 that left competitive cyclist Ashley [sic] Jackson with permanent brain damage. ... Schiro was arrested at his office in Santa Clara where he runs RPS Properties, a property management business. The arrest comes almost a year to the date when the collision occurred. Read more at the Mercury News article .

A cyclist was killed by a dump truck while trying to weave around it in an intersection this morning in Redwood City. As the vehicle, alternately described as a dump truck and a tractor-trailer with red paneling, began to turn right onto Holly Street, the cyclist attempted to squeeze past, Anderson said. Ride safe and defensive out there.

Begin Forwarded Message: WANTED: Hit and run driver in golden colored mini van. On Friday, October 9 at 8:50 am my friend was riding his bike when he got hit by a mini van. The accident was on Los Gatos Blvd. at Shannon Rd. The driver took off, leaving my friend with head trauma and bleeding in the brain, a broken collar bone and rib. My friend spent two days in ICU, but is doing better now. This was a HIT AND RUN incidence and the police is now looking for a golden colored mini van with damage to the front. If you see a van matching this description, or if you saw this accident, please, call Los Gatos Police: (408) 354-8600. I am currently waiting to get more details from the police report, but I figured it would be better to spread the word as soon as possible, and then update the info when I know more. Please, help us find this irresponsible driver.

Join fellow cyclists in riding for our fallen brethren. The Ride of Silence "is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride." Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. There are bay area rides beginning from Cupertino, Redwood City, SF, and Santa Rosa.

Begin forwarded message: On Sunday, April 19th, fellow cyclist Ashleigh Jackson was seriously injured in an hit-and-run accident in Saratoga. She was left on the side of the road with a brain injury. Fortunately, her brain bleed is under control, and while she still has a long road to full recovery, she is out of the ICU and on her way to gaining her life back. As part of a community-wide effort of outreach and solidarity, SugarCRM/LGRBC and Webcor/AV are proud to announce a silent auction and raffle event at the Cat's Hill Classic on Saturday, May 2 to help with Ashleigh’s medical bills. Come join us for a chance to win two signed Webcor/AV jersey's from World Cycling Champions Christine Thorburn and Karen Brems, a signed Most Aggressive Rider jersey from Levi for 2008 Tour of California, as well as hundreds of dollars in prizes and gift certificates from Palo Alto Bicycles, The Bicycle Outfitter, Cupertino Bike Shop, Sterling Sports Group, Testarossa Vineyards, Voler Clothin...