Cyclist dies, as Prius driver evades accident scene
An unidentified bicyclist died from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run collision with a Prius in Rolando on Tuesday 26 May.
The San Diego police department reported that the accident happened along the University Avenue’s 6600 block, near Alamo Drive.
What we know so far
The driver, Abbas Karama Sharriff, 30, was arrested two hours later after the incident, during a pedestrian stop in the 7100 block of Central Avenue in Lemon Grove, four miles away from the crash site.
San Diego’s Police Department (SDPD) public affair Officer Billy Hernandez said Sharriff was taken into custody after being questioned by detectives. He was later booked into the San Diego Central Jail in the early morning hours of Wednesday 28 May.
The police department has not yet released the actual charge sheet, neither has information on the charges has been made public. The victim has also not been named as relevant authorities were yet to inform his relatives or near kinsman.
What happened?
Reports indicate that, shortly after 7 p.m, the Toyota Prius was traveling westbound along University Avenue when the bicyclist is reported to have made a sudden left turn into the Prius’ direction.
The bicyclist was riding on the sidewalk along the same street. Onlookers could not determine why he made the sudden “sweeping left turn” into the main road. According to the police Sgt. Kevin Gibson, the bicyclist was thrown from his bike and landed several feet away from the point of impact.
The bicyclist cap laying meters away from the bike || CBS 8 San Diego
The Toyota Prius driver is reported to have got out of his car, picked up the cyclist, and laid him back on the road. He did not administer first aid or sought any help. He then went on to board his car and drove away.
Medics attended to the wounded bicyclists, suspected to be in his late 40s, before rushing him to the Scripps Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The police department says the red Prius was spotted going westbound on University Avenue before going north along the Aragon Way. It was later found abandoned in the 6800 blocks of El Cajon Boulevard, a distance under a mile from the accident scene. It is not yet clear why the driver left the accident scene before the police got there.
Mangled… Bicycle lay on the crash site. The Prius driver fled away || CBS 8 San Diego
What does the law say?
The laws of the State of California do not allow a party to leave an accident scene before the arrival of law enforcement agencies. Desertion of an accident scene implies that you were the one in the wrong. The law requires one to stay until the authorities arrive
In every emergency, calling 9-1-1 and notifying the emergency operatives is important.
In non-fatal crashes, make sure you check for injuries first. Leave the bicycle as it is because it is important evidence to be used in determining the party in fault.
An attorney will help you with claims to cover your medical fees if there were injuries sustained in an accident where you were not at fault.