Let’s call it what it is.
Murder.
Maybe that’s not what the law says. Or what the DA will charge.
But when death is the entirely foreseeable consequence of getting loaded and speeding down a busy roadway, that what it is.
It’s no different than if the driver had fired a gun down the street, then was surprised to learn he actually hit someone.
In effect, that’s what happened in Rialto Tuesday evening, when an intoxicated high-speed driver ran down a man on a bike.
According to KTLA-5, a 34-year old Riverside man was was riding his bike west on Rialto’s Industrial Drive at North Riverside Ave around 6:52 pm when a driver headed north on Riverside slammed into his bike.
The victim, who was not publicly named, was lying dead in the roadway when police and paramedics arrived at the scene.
Both the driver and his passenger were taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries. Thirty-two-year old Hesperia resident John Godinez was booked on a DUI charge upon his release.
Hopefully additional — and more serious — charges will be added later.
Anyone with information is urged to call Rialto police at 909/820-2550.
This is at least the 34th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.
Update: A commenter below has identified the victim as 34-year old Justin Vaughan.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Justin Vaughan and all his loved ones.
