Blood Drive in Honor of Livermore Bicyclist Fatally Struck by Drunk Driver in Chico

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

California Water Service will host a blood drive this week to honor the life of a Livermore bicyclist who was fatally struck by a drunk driver in Chico in September of 2013. The Kristina Chesterman blood drive is scheduled for the same day as the sentencing of Riley Hoover, the man who pleaded no contest to driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run in the Chesterman case.

The drive is scheduled for Sept. 5 between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lisa Bryning of California Water Service told Patch, via email:

“The Red Cross bus will be at our location at 195 South N Street taking donation. Those interested can sign on to redcrossblood.org and schedule an appointment using the sponsor code of CALWATER or call our local office at 925-447-4900 and ask for Lisa and I will be happy to schedule an appointment for them.”

Kristina Louise Chesterman, 21, was hit by a drunk driver on Sunday, Sept. 22 while riding her bicycle back from study hall to the California State University Chico campus were she was a nursing student. She was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Chesterman was pronounced brain dead at 1:40 p.m. on Sept. 24.

According to her mother, Chesterman suffered major head trauma when she was struck less than one block from home. The Granada High graduate was the daughter of Livermore Homeless Refuge Director Sandra Chesterman, who is well-known in the Livermore community.

Chesterman was described by friends and family as “amazing” and “loved.”

Related article: Livermore Bicyclist Hit By Drunk Driver in Chico

Chico resident Riley Hoover, who was accused of killing Chesterman when he struck her with his 2009 GMC Envoy, accepted a plea deal offered by prosecutors on Sept. 20 and now faces sentencing on Sept. 5, according to the Hudson Hub Times.

KCRC News reported that District Attorney’s Office officials said Hoover will likely be sentenced to the maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

Bryning says participating in the blood drive on Friday would be a “great way for local residents to honor Kristina on the day of sentencing.”

According to the Remembering Kristina Chesterman Facebook page, a celebration of life and candlelight vigil is scheduled to take place on the anniversary of her death.