Update: Chula Vista bike rider killed by drunk driver in stolen car

A drunk driver. A stolen car. A dead cyclist.

A San Diego area bike rider has lost his life at the hands of a criminal apparently too drunk to control the car he stole.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, 29-year old Michael Reyes was traveling westbound on Chula Vista’s East J Street at Dennis Avenue around 4:15 pm Monday when he somehow crossed into oncoming traffic. He hit cyclist head-on before crossing over the sidewalk and crashing into a utility pole.

Reyes allegedly admitted to the police that he had been drinking, and that the silver Nissan Maxima  he was driving had been stolen earlier that afternoon. Inside the car, police found property that appeared to come from other car burglaries.

The 44-year old bike rider, who has not been publicly identified, was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center where he died.

There was nothing the victim could have done to avoid the collision. He does not appear to have done anything to contribute in any way to his own death, other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time, sharing the same planet with a drunk on a crime spree.

If there is any justice, his killer won’t be back behind the wheel of any car, stolen or otherwise, for a very long time.

This is the 20th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first in San Diego County. This is also the fourth cyclist killed in Chula Vista since 2012.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Update: The victim has been identified as 44-year old Chula Vista resident David Voight. According to San Diego’s 10News, Voight was a regular bike commuter, and was just eight blocks from his home when he was killed. 

8 comments

  1. He was drunk and killed someone in a stolen car. In TX with a DA that had some testicular fortitude he could be charged with Capital Murder and get the death penalty (not likely, but possible), what could he be charged with under CA laws?

    • bikinginla says:

      My understanding is it would be felony murder if the death occurred while the car was being stolen, but not after it had been taken and was being driven away. But I hope I’m wrong.

  2. Jennifer says:

    Sad news. I hope this dangerous menace gets locked away for a long time as taking away his license is probably not going to stop him.

  3. Just terrible. This is the same type of crash that killed Ken Kiefer – drunk driver veers across the road into cyclist. The only type of crash I know of for which there is no way the cyclist can mitigate risk. Luckily they are very rare. Probably around 1% of all cyclist deaths. Of course that’s no comfort to the grieving loved ones left behind. My condolences to family and friends. How awful.

  4. thesqueak says:

    I am fed up with hearing the misuse of the phrase “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” especially in regards to innocent victims.

    It’s that disgusting criminal Michael Reyes who was in the wrong place (behind the wheel) at the wrong goddamned time (while drunk.)

    Per the California vehicle Code, the cyclist was exactly where he was supposed to be.

    • bikinginla says:

      In this case, sharing the same planet as Reyes was the wrong place to be. As this post makes abundantly clear, the victim does not appear to have done anything wrong.

  5. JD says:

    Our prayers go up for the family and friends of the victim.

  6. Al Hooper says:

    In march a David was killed by Michael and other then that story in news we have Hurd nothing else on the outcome Hopefully he got accused and waiting trial can anyone give update ?

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