Breaking News: Suspect Arrested in Hit and Run That Killed Cyclist

posted: September 18th, 2012 08:02 am | 9Comments

UPDATED
Newport Beach police arrested a suspect early Tuesday in connection with the crash that killed cyclist Catherine Campion-Ritz, who died Saturday while riding on Newport Coast Drive.

Deputy Chief David McGill said police also had custody of a Toyota Tundra suspected in the crash. In a news release, police said the suspect is Michael Jason Lopez, 39, who was arrested at 2 a.m. in Anaheim and booked on vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He is being held on $100,000 bail.

“Investigators are pursuing investigative leads and, in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation, the Department will not release any further information at this time,” the statement said. “Newport Beach Police Department personnel, with assistance from other Orange County law enforcement agencies, worked tirelessly since the incident occurred to bring the suspect into custody. They will continue these efforts throughout the investigation to insure justice will be served.”

Campion-Ritz was cycling near Ocean Vista and Vista Ridge drives when the pickup truck struck her at 9:47 a.m. The driver fled the scene. Campion-Ritz, 57, of Irvine, died later at a hospital. Her husband was cycling with her and uninjured, and he was able to provide police with a truck description, police said.

Police issued a plea to the public to call with information about a black truck with damage to the front, and at a cycling safety committee meeting on Monday afternoon, McGill and Police Chief Jay Johnson said the department received numerous tips, including one from Mayor Nancy Gardner and from cyclists attending the meeting.

McGill told the group that police were close to identifying a suspect, and Chief Johnson said investigators were working diligently to make an arrest.

“That was a hit and run accident, which absolutely disgusts me,” Johnson said. “This police department will not stop until we find this suspect and bring him to justice. We are not going to stop until we make this happen.”

The day before Campion-Ritz was struck while cycling, another truck ran over cyclist Sarah Leaf, who died at the crash site at East Coast Highway and Bayside Drive. The investigation into that crash is ongoing, police said.

On Thursday, another bicyclist was involved in a serious injury crash, police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe confirmed in an email Tuesday morning.

“The accident occurred at approximately 11:15 am westbound on West Coast Highway, west of Dover Drive,” Lowe said in the email. “A female bicyclist was struck by a truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer. The preliminary investigation indicates that the truck was traveling westbound on West Coast Highway, as it passed the cyclist the rear right portion of the trailer clipped the handlebars of the bicycle, causing the cyclist to fall. The female cyclist suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Her condition is unknown at this time.”

Read our earlier stories here, here, here, here and here.

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9 Responses to “Breaking News: Suspect Arrested in Hit and Run That Killed Cyclist”

Comments

Frank Peters

September 18th, 2012

We have a competent police department; they should be proud

Mark Waite

September 18th, 2012

My condolences to the Ritz family. May you find comfort and peace in your time of mourning. I am ecstatic to read that there is a suspect under arrest. Now let justice run its course. Too many drivers around here seem to forget the rules of the road and that cyclists do have a right to be on the road. And they make it more dangerous for the cyclists because of lax enforcement of the law - speeding and distracted driving.

David Wedemeyer

September 18th, 2012

The NBPD should be praised for their expedient handling of this case and locating the suspect in just 3 days. I mirror Frank's comments above. Well done and thank you.

robincdm

September 18th, 2012

What sort of scum hits somebody then leaves them to die in the road!!! If he's the guy then he can rot in jail. That is just sickening.

Eric K.

September 18th, 2012

I only hope that the OC DA will prosecute this with the same intensity as if this was a robbery with a gun in which someone was killed. ALL TO OFTEN killers of cyclists do not serve more than a few months in jail and this is still true for hit-and-run drivers. A vehicle can and is often used, as a killing machine, no different than a gun. The law must reflect that and the punishment reflect that as well.

MAC

September 18th, 2012

This is so sad. I did not know her but am hearing more information about her from this site and people who did know her. My heart goes out to her Family.How can this happen? I found out that she worked at Newport Beach Family Medical Center. You can see more information about the accident and her families wishes by going to www.newportfamilymedicine.com. My heart and prayers goes out to her Family. I am so sorry.

Allan L.

September 18th, 2012

My condolences to the Ritz family as well as the other woman cyclist family that passed away. May the cyclist hit by Dover have a speedy recovery. All three incidents were caused by driver negligence. It's about time the City of Newport Beach do something about their dangerous roadways.

virginia cook/Ed Cook

September 19th, 2012

Dr. Campion was a special, caring, incredible doctor - her loss is beyond tragic. So many depended upon her to heal and be comforted. She had been our doctor for over 25 years. May justice be served and a long, long sentence be given to the man that killed her. He doesn't deserve to live, because he took a life that was so important to hundreds, maybe thousands of patients and friends. Our deepest sympathy to her husband and family. We will never forget her.

Dan M

September 19th, 2012

My thoughts are with the families of all three victims. Hopefully the cyclist injured in Thursday's accident will heal completely. Deaths are obviously tragic. Often overlooked, however, are injuries- mental and physical- that can last a lifetime.

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