Ohio Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison in Death of Livermore Bicyclist Struck in Chico

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

An Ohio man, 20, was sentenced to seven years in prison last week after pleading no contest to two charges as part of a plea agreement offered by Butte County prosecutors in the death of 21-year-old Kristina Louise Chesterman of Livermore.

Riley Hoover was sentenced on Friday after he pleaded no contest in August to driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run in the Chesterman case as part of the deal. According to Action News Now, prosecutors in the case describe Hoover as a drug dealer who was on probation in Ohio at the time he hit and killed Chesterman.

“You took my baby... my first born,” said Kristina Chesterman’s mother in a teary statement in the court on Friday. Watch the full story about the Friday proceedings on KRCR TV News. KRCR TV reported Hoover was also ordered to pay $161,000 to the Chesterman family.

Related article: Livermore Bicyclist Hit By Drunk Driver in Chico

Prosecutors say Hoover had a blood alcohol level of .33 when he struck the Chico State nursing student with his 2009 GMC Envoy as she biked home from study hall on Sept. 22, 2013. Hoover left the scene of the crash and was later arrested at his apartment nearby. Chesterman was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was pronounced brain dead at 1:40 p.m. on Sept. 24.

The Livermore community has continuously rallied in support of Chesterman and her family since hearing the news that fateful night. On Sept. 5, the day Hoover was sentenced, California Water Service in Livermore hosted a blood drive to honor Chesterman, who was a Granada High graduate.

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

Action News Now reported that supporters of the Chesterman family wore pink while in the courtroom as a show of support. Chesterman, who was described by friends and family as “amazing” and “loved,” was the daughter of Livermore Homeless Refuge Director Sandra Chesterman, who is well-known in the Livermore community.

On Sept. 6, Sandra Chesterman posted a touching letter to the community on Facebook, thanking everyone for their support during the case and expressing dismay at the lack of time Hoover will spend in prison.

Sandra wrote, “It was a difficult day, perhaps the most difficult day we have had since that horrific phone call that we received almost one year ago and the days that followed as we said our goodbyes.

I continue to be amazed by the outpouring of love and compassion that all of you have shown our family, a great many of you being complete strangers.” Read her full letter here.

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.

Photo: Kristina Chesterman.