A teenage driver was taken into custody on Wednesday, September 13, for allegedly intentionally hitting three bicyclists with his vehicle over the weekend.
On the night of Sunday, September 10, at approximately 10:30 pm, a report came in of a bicyclist being sideswiped by a black Toyota in Huntington Beach, California. Although injured, the cyclist provided a description of the offending vehicle.
Police representative, Jessica Cuchilla, conveyed this information to the public.
Soon after, another cyclist reported a similar incident. He too was sideswiped, with increased force, by an automobile fitting the black Toyota’s description. This took place in close proximity to the first reported incident.
Steven Gonzales, aged 70, was the next reported victim, roughly 15 minutes after the second incident. Gonzales was struck by the same described vehicle, and despite immediate medical assistance, his injuries proved fatal.
The police, connecting the incidents, intensively searched for the described black Toyota. Their efforts were successful on Tuesday, September 12, when the car was found in Huntington Beach. The discovery resulted in the identification and arrest of the teenage suspect by 9 pm. The exact age of the teen is yet to be revealed.
The police have strong reasons to believe that the hits were deliberate, but the reason behind them is still unknown. Investigations continue.
The Orange County Register confirmed that as of September 13, the apprehended teenager was housed at Orange County Juvenile Hall.
