Hit-And-Run Leaves Bicyclist Dead In Winchester, Arrest Made

WINCHESTER, CA — A 62-year-old bicyclist from Hemet was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver Thursday in Winchester, and the California Highway Patrol announced Friday an arrest has been made.

Carlos Arturo Acosta, 38, of Homeland was arrested about four hours following the fatal crash that was reported on California Avenue, south of Stetson Avenue.

According to the CHP, the male bicyclist, whose identity has not been released, was hit just before 7:30 p.m. but the driver fled.

When CHP officers arrived at the crash scene, they found the bicyclist dead and pieces of a vehicle.

"While gathering vehicle and bicycle parts at the scene, a 911 call was received that pointed officers in the direction of the suspect vehicle, a 2008 black GMC Acadia SUV," the CHP reported.

CHP officers tracked down the GMC at a rural ranch and spoke with Acosta, who was allegedly behind the wheel of the SUV when he hit the bicyclist.

CHP Officer Jason Montez confirmed that alcohol and/or drugs were ruled out as crash factors.

Acosta was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of felony hit and run causing death. He is being held in lieu of $75,000 and is due in court Wednesday.

Montez reminded motorists to always keep their vehicles at least three feet away from bicyclists. For their part, bicyclists should always ride with traffic, not against it, and have front and rear lights on their bikes, especially after dark, Montez said.