Crime & Safety
Bicyclist Dies in Hit and Run Accident
CHP arrests the driver, who returned to the scene after pulling over about a mile and a half away.
A 78-year-old man was killed Thursday while riding his bicycle on Tierra Rejada Road east of the 23 Freeway.
Nicolas Santiago, 20, of Ridgecrest, struck Bernard Cooper, 78, of Simi Valley from behind while they both traveled eastbound on Tierra Rejada at about 1:20 p.m., according to a statement by the California Highway Patrol, which responded to the accident.
Santiago continued driving for about a mile and a half before pulling over and returning to the accident scene, according to the statement, which went on to report Cooper was pronounced dead on the scene by Ventura County Fire Department personnel.
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CHP officers placed Santiago under arrest on suspiscion of felony hit and run, the statement said.
The accident caused eastbound Tierra Rejada to be closed for about three and a half hours. Westbound lanes remained open throughout the investigation.
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While the collision remains under investigation, alcohol does not appear to have been a factor, the CHP reported.
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