Orinda Man Faces Felony Hit-And-Run Charges In Pinole Crash: DA

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — An Orinda man faces a felony hit-and-run charge for his suspected role in a crash that injured a bicyclist in Pinole, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office announced.

The DA's Office on Friday filed one felony count of hit and run against 73-year-old Joseph Kish in connection with the July incident.

It is alleged that shortly after 5 p.m. July 25, Kish was driving in the 2100 block of Appian Way in Pinole when his car struck a 41-year-old male cyclist from Oakland — knocking him off his bicycle onto the ground.

"Mr. Kish did not stop after the collision; a collision that caused injuries including a fractured pelvis to the cyclist," DA's Office Spokesperson Ted Asregadoo said in a news release. "After the crash, the cyclist was able to get out of the roadway and make it to a nearby motel where he called the police."

A witness to the crash provided authorities with a statement and photos to assist them in their investigation. Police were able to locate the vehicle and trace it back to Kish, where it was later determined he was the driver of the vehicle that collided with the cyclist, Asregadoo said.

An arraignment date for Kish will be set by the court at a future date.

According to the DA's Office, the California Vehicle Code grants bicyclists and motorists the same rights to share the road. A recent report by Contra Costa County Vision Zero noted that between 2014 and 2018, there were 14 bicycle-involved collisions that resulted in severe injury or death. The study recommended safety improvements for both urban and rural roads in the county. Transportation experts reminded all that operating a vehicle safely means being aware of traffic conditions and adjusting speed and distance to avoid collisions.