UPDATED: 54-year-old bicyclist, struck and killed in Perris ID’d

Photo: Deputies survey the scene of the fatal vehicle vs bicyclist traffic collision. Marina Guerrero photo

 

UPDATED: 04/21/2016 11:30 a.m.

PERRIS – A bicyclist who was struck and killed on 4th Street in Perris, Wednesday, April 20, has been identified by Coroner’s officials.

A release from the Coroner’s office on Thursday, April 21, identified the victim of the fatal collision as Roger Villegas, a 54-year-old resident of Perris as the man killed in the tragic accident. The Coroner listed his time of death as 5:28 p.m., about 45 minutes after the deadly accident. According to a sheriff official, Villegas was riding on the wrong side of the roadway when he reportedly collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Police Station and other emergency first responders rushed to the scene of the vehicle-versus-bicyclist traffic collision, which was reported to sheriff’s emergency communications dispatchers at 4:43 p.m., Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant J.P. Strang wrote in a press release about the incident.

Paramedics attempted to provide life saving measures to Villegas at the scene before they transported him to a local area hospital for further treatment. Villegas later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Perris Police Traffic Reconstruction Unit responded to the location and assumed the investigation. During their investigation, 4th St. between A and C Streets was temporarily closed while investigating deputies documented the scene of the collision and collected photographs and evidence related to the accident.

A preliminary investigation conducted by Perris PD’s TRU indicated the fatal accident occurred when Villegas, who was travelling on the wrong side of 4th Street collided with a vehicle described as a “work truck,” being driven in the opposite direction. Villegas sustained fatal injuries in the collision.

The driver of the work truck, who has not been identified, remained at the scene and was cooperative with law enforcement, according to Strang. As of this report, officials had not yet determined if alcohol or drug intoxication on either man’s parts were contributing factors in the tragic collision.

Anyone with information about this accident investigation is encouraged to call Deputy Kiebach at the Perris Sheriff’s Station at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PE161110162 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

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