Arrest Made After Kaiser Permanente Employee Killed In Riverside Crosswalk

RIVERSIDE, CA — A 62-year-old parolee who allegedly struck and killed a Kaiser Permanente employee at a Riverside crosswalk while fleeing from police was arrested Tuesday.

Gene Amos Cunningham of Riverside was taken into custody following a roughly 24-hour investigation by the Riverside Police Department into the death of 42-year-old Peter Mullis, also of Riverside.

More details were released Tuesday about the investigation. According to Detective Steve Espinosa, about 11:40 a.m. Monday, officers patrolling the area of La Sierra and Magnolia avenues in west Riverside spotted a motorist — later identified as Cunningham — committing an alleged traffic violation and signaled him to stop.

"The driver initially yielded but fled as officers approached on foot," Espinosa said. "The suspect traveled eastbound on Magnolia at a high rate of speed."

At the intersection of Magnolia and Park Sierra, Mullis entered the marked crosswalk, apparently without noticing the high-speed traffic coming his way.

Cunningham plowed into Mullis and kept going, Espinosa alleged.

The police spokesman said the pursuing officers immediately stopped to render aid as the suspect vehicle raced away.

Mullis was taken to nearby Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center, where he died less than an hour later. He was a Kaiser employee, and the healthcare organization released the following statement Monday night:

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our employees in a traffic incident near Riverside Medical Center on July 27. Our heartfelt condolences are with the employee's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.

"Questions regarding the accident should be directed to the Riverside Police Department. Our focus remains on supporting the employee's loved ones and others affected by this loss."

A GoFundMe page that is asking for donations to help support funeral costs for Mullis states that he was married and the couple was "in the midst of their IVF journey."

"Peter and Layla shared a beautiful dream of growing their family together ...," according to the page.

As of Tuesday evening, the page had raised more than $25,000.

The Riverside County Jail Management System provided few details Tuesday evening about Cunningham's arrest time and location.

"Cunningham has two outstanding felony warrants and is on California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation parole for assault with a deadly weapon," Espinosa said. "He has an extensive criminal history that includes convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest."