Charges in Yolo Co. hit-and-runs

We’re relieved and pleased with the news that West Sacramento police will bring charges of attempted murder against the driver who hit and injured three road cyclists on a training ride on June 29 along South River Road in Yolo County. The driver fled the scene of the collisions and was later captured in downtown Sacramento.
Two of the three victims are 17 years old, one of whom remains gravely injured in intensive care. Witnesses reported via social media that the driver appeared to target each victim individually, as they were spread out over a half-mile along South River Road. This route is a local instruction where dozens of road cyclists – including nationally ranked competitors – regularly train and compete.
Our hearts go out to the injured cyclists and their loved ones with wishes for a smooth and full recovery. We’re extremely grateful to the West Sacramento Police Department, whose quick action in capturing the driver undoubtedly saved lives.
This incident is the fifth hit-and-run collision involving people on bikes in the greater Sacramento area in the past three months. In the four previous collisions, drivers killed two people and injured two others. None of these drivers has been captured.
People on bikes are particularly vulnerable to hit-and-run collisions, due to the obvious physical differences between cars and bikes. In most collisions with a car, the bike is damaged and the bicyclist is injured, which make it easier for a driver to choose to flee without fear of being identified or chased.
Earlier on June 29, SABA Executive Director Jim Brown joined others to testify before the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee in support of Assembly Bill 8, which would extend the AMBER Alert system to include alerts about hit-and-run collisions. Despite opposition from the California Highway Patrol – the bill’s only formal opponent – the committee voted unanimously to approve AB 8. Prior to the hearing, SABA rallied hundreds of local bicyclists to contact committee members on behalf of the bill.
The key to preventing hit-and-runs is to prevent collisions that injure or kill people on bikes. In addition to supporting valuable new enforcement strategies like those proposed in AB 8, we’re calling for vigorous enforcement of existing laws against speeding, running red lights, distracted driving and drunk driving.
Meanwhile, drivers must be made to understand that leaving the scene of a collision is a crime punishable by a heavy fine, a jail or prison sentence and, potentially, restitution payments to victims and the loss of one’s driver’s license.
On Monday, July 13, the SABA Board of Directors will discuss strategies for responding to fatal collisions involving bicyclists, including hit-and-runs, at its regular monthly meetin