A teenage driver is now in custody, suspected of carrying out a series of intentional hit-and-run incidents that targeted bicyclists in the coastal city of Huntington Beach, California. One cyclist tragically lost their life in the events unfolding last weekend. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed due to their age, was apprehended on Tuesday evening, and he currently resides in Orange County Juvenile Hall.
The unsettling chain of events began on Sunday night around 10:30 p.m. when a bicyclist reported being sideswiped by a black Toyota, resulting in minor injuries. Fifteen minutes later, another cyclist experienced a similar aggressive collision with what police believe to be the same black Toyota. Tragically, just 15 minutes after the second incident, the vehicle struck 70-year-old Steven Gonzales. Although paramedics were swiftly on the scene, Gonzales succumbed to his injuries.
Local authorities launched a diligent investigation, eventually leading them to the suspect’s vehicle in Huntington Beach. The teenage driver was subsequently arrested around 9 p.m. and has been booked on charges that include two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of homicide, as reported by CBS Los Angeles. While investigators are convinced that these collisions were deliberate, the motive behind the suspect’s actions remains undisclosed.
Huntington Beach Chief of Police Eric Parra commended the dedicated efforts of the detectives who tirelessly worked on this case, and the community’s supportn their search for the perpetrator. The tragic incidents have shaken the local community, raising concerns about safety on the city’s roads and the need for continued vigilance in protecting vulnerable road users.
Pic Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright
