A motorist who accidentally struck and killed a local bicyclist
in a fatal crash on San Benito Street Saturday was arrested for
driving under the influence of marijuana, police said Monday.
Sergio Ivan Valdez, 21, of Hollister was arrested on suspicion
of felony driving under the influence of marijuana at the time of
the fatal accident that killed 54-year-old Francisco San Ramon of
Hollister, police said.
A motorist who accidentally struck and killed a local bicyclist in a fatal crash on San Benito Street Saturday was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana, police said Monday.
Sergio Ivan Valdez, 21, of Hollister was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of marijuana at the time of the fatal accident that killed 54-year-old Francisco San Ramon of Hollister, police said.
Despite Valdez being arrested during the weekend, investigators with the Hollister Police Department said Valdez is not at fault for the accident.
“His being under the influence of marijuana was a contributing factor, but it was not the primary cause in the collision,” Capt. Bob Brooks said.
Investigators said the primary reason for the fatal accident was San Ramon cutting across the street.
The 6:31 p.m. accident happened on Saturday when San Ramon was riding a bicycle headed west from the eastern side of San Benito Street, police said.
For an unknown reason, San Ramon crossed the northbound lanes of San Benito Street and followed behind an unidentified car for a short distance and then tried to cut across the remaining southbound lane near 140 San Benito St., near the burned out remains of the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, police said.
Investigators said when San Ramon tried to dart across the street, he reportedly cut directly in front of a southbound 1991 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Valdez.
Investigators said there was no way Valdez could not stop in time to avoid striking San Ramon and his bicycle.
Police shut down San Benito Street between First and Third streets for more than an hour allowing a Cal-Star helicopter to land in the middle of San Benito and to give emergency crews a chance to begin giving San Ramon cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The helicopter immediately flew the critically injured San Ramon to a trauma unit at San Jose Medical Center and despite extensive lifesaving efforts in the trauma ward, he died from his injuries, the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office said.
