A man was arrested Monday on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing serious/permanent injury in connection with a Dec. 29Β crashΒ thatΒ put aΒ bicyclist in critical condition, a sheriff's sergeant said.
William Donald Johnson, 42, of Calimesa, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 6, according to inmate records. He was booked Monday evening at Smith Correctional. He was released Tuesday onΒ $25,000 bail and heΒ has a court date March 4 in Banning.
The crash was reported about 12:25 p.m. Sunday Dec, 29Β near the intersection of Calimesa Boulevard and Singleton Road, Sgt.Β John Reinbolz of the Cabazon Station said in a statement.
Deputies foundΒ a male bicyclist injured and lying on Calimesa just north of Singleton, Reinbolz said.
"The vehicle involved did not stop and left the scene," Reinbolz said.
"According to witnesses, the bicyclist was traveling southbound and the vehicle was traveling northbound, both on Calimesa," Reinbolz said.Β "For unknown reasons the vehicle crossed the center divider and drove head on into the bicyclist's path of travel."
The vehicle struck the bicycle andΒ was seen leaving with damage to the front headlight and front left side of the vehicle, Reinbolz said.
The vehicle wasΒ described as "a light green or light blue compact four door vehicle driven by an elderly White or Hispanic male with white hair," Reinbolz said.
The bicyclistΒ was listed in critical condition the next dayΒ at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, a family friendΒ told Patch in a phone interview.
Phil Richards isΒ a resident of Banning area and he is in his 50s,Β Melanie Tressler of Yucaipa said Dec. 30.Β Tressler said she's been friends with Richards' wife, Annette, for 27 years.
"He's already had a coupe of surgeries," Tressler said of Richards.Β "He will require more. Things are not looking good for him right now. All the prayers and support we can getΒ are greatly appreciated."
About noon Monday Jan. 6, a deputy spottedΒ a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in the 1200 block of Cherry Lane, Reinbolz said.
"The vehicle, a green 2005 Ford Five Hundred, matched the description of the suspect vehicle and had damage consistent with damage expected from the evidence left at the scene," Reinbolz said.Β "The vehicle was towed to the Cabazon Station and processed for additional evidence."
The suspect, identified asΒ JohnsonΒ was contacted at his residence, Reinbolz said.
"During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Johnson was involved in the hit and run accident," Reinbolz said.
The victim remained hospitalized in critical condition, Reinbolz said Jan. 6.
For background see
UPDATE: Bicyclist Injured by Hit-Run Driver in Critical Condition, Family Friend Says
Anyone with more info was urged to call the Cabazon Station, (951) 922-7100.
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