Martinez, Calif. (KCBS/BCN) -- Dozens of bicyclists, family and friends gathered at the Amtrak Station in Martinez to mourn the loss of Mark Pendleton, 49, a cyclist who was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident.
Pendelton was riding south on McEwan Road near state Highway 4 in unincorporated Contra Costa County between 5:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. when he was hit, California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Yox said.
The East Bay Bicycle Coalition has placed a white "ghost bike" at the spot where Pendleton was killed.
KCBS’ Mark Seelig reports.
CHP investigators believe the vehicle that killed Pendleton, possibly a Chevrolet Silverado or similar model pickup truck or sport utility vehicle, crossed over into the southbound lane and hit Pendleton, who was riding close to the west shoulder.
An off-duty fire captain from Crockett found Pendleton just after 6 p.m. and called for medical assistance, but Pendleton died at the scene.
If found, the driver could face felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter charges. If there is any evidence that the person was drunk at the time of the crash, the charges could be raised to gross vehicular manslaughter, which carries a stiffer sentence.
Anyone with information about the incident or who has seen a vehicle with recent front-end damage is asked to call (925) 646-4980 or (800) TELL-CHP.
(cfu)
