Two bicyclists were killed and another seriously hurt after a suspected drunk driver plowed into a Halloween group ride in Montclair and then fled, police said.
About 30 riders were heading east on Kingsley Street near Tudor Avenue around 10:39 p.m. Saturday when a westbound car slammed into several of them, according to the Montclair Police Department.
Witnesses told officers the riders were taking part in a self-coordinated Halloween ride that was not sponsored, organized or affiliated with the city.
Emergency responders attend to a fatal hit-and-run incident in Montclair. KNN
One cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene minutes later. A woman rushed to the hospital died early Sunday. And a third rider suffered major injuries and is in a stable condition.
The first victim was declared dead at 10:44 p.m., just five minutes after the 𝔠r𝘢sh. The second deceased died at the hospital at about 1:19 a.m.
A fourth cyclist suffered a minor gash to the head but refused further medical treatment against medical advice, police said.
Police have not released the names of the victims.
A vehicle struck several children and adults on bicycles at the intersection of Kingsley Street and Tudor Avenue. KNN
Police are investigating two crime scenes related to the incident, and the suspect remains at large. KNN
One victim was dragged for more than a mile and then dumped in a residential neighborhood, KTLA reported. Police did not mention that detail in their statement.
The suspect, Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, was arrested at his nearby Montclair home early Sunday on suspicion of DUI, felony hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Firefighters and police officers respond to the scene where a vehicle struck several children and adults on bicycles. KNN
Detectives used witness information to track Rodriguez down. He was taken into custody around 2:40 a.m., about four hours after the 𝔠r𝘢sh, and booked into the West Valley Detention Center.
He faces counts of driving under the influence causing injury or dєatᩚh, driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher causing injury or dєatᩚh, felony hit-and-run involving dєatᩚh or serious injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to police.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Montclair Police Department at 909-621-4771.
