San Jacinto Man Convicted of Killing Bicyclist

MURRIETA, CA - A motorist who struck and killed a bicyclist in Menifee was convicted Thursday of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.

A Murrieta jury spent two days deliberating before finding 25-year-old Luis Aranda Llamas of San Jacinto guilty of the count stemming from the July 23, 2014, death of Matthew Carp of Menifee.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Stephen Gallon scheduled sentencing for May 6 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. Llamas, who is free on a $7,500 bond, is expected to receive a jail sentence, which may be suspended, and three years probation.

The defendant struck Carp, 55, as he rode his bicycle along Domenigoni Parkway, just east of Lindenberger Road.

Prosecutors reviewed the case and found there was no evidence of gross negligence by Llamas, sparing him a felony charge. In addition to the manslaughter count, the defendant was accused of improperly displaying a vehicle license plate and being in possession of brass knuckles -- misdemeanor counts to which he pleaded guilty at the outset of the trial.

Sheriff's investigators said Carp was struck from behind as he rode eastbound, alongside a friend, in a marked bike lane during late afternoon.

Llamas was driving an Acura that investigators alleged was traveling well above the speed limit when it collided with the bicyclist, causing the victim to strike his head on the pavement. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics less than 15 minutes later.

The other rider, whose name was not released, narrowly missed being hit but was not injured, according to sheriff's officials.

Llamas was taken into custody at the scene without incident. According to court records, he has a prior conviction for trespassing.

– City News Service.  Image via Shutterstock.