Good news is hard to find in such a story: 25 year-old Michael Vega of Norco was riding his bike on a recent evening when he was fatally struck by a white utility truck. Vega was rushed to an Upland hospital where he was pronounced dead. The truck driver fled the scene hoping to evade justice. That evasion may have come to an end if police have the right suspect in custody. If there is any good news at all in this story, it may be that this case will be solved.
Riverside’s Press-Enterprise newspaper confirms that a man has been arrested in connection with the fatal bicycle accident. Jason Cox, a construction worker in the area, was identified as the man driving the truck. Though the arrest came nearly two weeks after the incident, police felt confident that they had the evidence to charge Cox with gross vehicular manslaughter and hit and run that resulted in death. He is also accused of causing the accident while driving drunk at the time of the crash, according to San Bernardino news reports.
According to the report, tips sent in to We-Tip anonymous crime tip organization lead to the arrest (http://www.wetip.com/). The tip lead Riverside sheriffs to Jason Cox’s home where they questioned him, examined his truck and ultimately arrested him. Though punishing Cox will not bring Michael Vega back, the arrest may signal one more step towards justice. This case is also a stark reminder of the many dangers that Southern California cyclists face on the roadways.
