Driver Accused Of Intentionally Killing Bicyclist: Pretrial Motions

RIVERSIDE, CA — Pretrial motions got underway Thursday ahead of jury selection for the trial of a motorist accused of intentionally running over and killing a 46-year-old bicyclist on a Riverside street.

Sergio Reynaldo Gutierrez, 33, of Riverside allegedly killed Benedicto Solanga, also of Riverside, in July 2021.

Gutierrez is charged with murder and a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon — his pickup truck — in the commission of a felony.

The case was assigned Wednesday to the courtroom of Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

On Thursday morning, Hollenhorst began ruling on motions concerning trial scheduling, witnesses, which photographs will be permitted to be introduced by the prosecution and instructions for jurors.

Jury selection may begin Friday.

Gutierrez is being held on $1 million at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, on the afternoon of July 29, 2021, the defendant was driving his Ford F-250 on Market Street, near the Pomona (60) Freeway underpass, when he encountered Solanga on his bicycle going in the opposite direction.

Railsback said there was an unspecified "interaction" between the defendant and victim, possibly traffic-related, after which Solanga resumed riding his bike.

"(Gutierrez) made a U-turn and struck the victim, causing him to be seriously injured," the police spokesman said, further alleging that the defendant fled.

Solanga was hospitalized, but he died three days later as a result of the impact, according to Railsback.

He said that detectives spent the ensuing three weeks attempting to identify the pickup driver and ultimately confirmed that it was allegedly Gutierrez.

He was taken into custody without incident on Aug. 17, 2021, along Sir Bedivere Drive.

Gutierrez has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.