Woman bicycling @GoldenGatePark killed by hit and run driver, @SFPD interviewing witnesses now #KTVU pic.twitter.com/8rg1soD4CW
— Debora Villalon (@DeboraKTVU) June 23, 2016
It's been more than three weeks since a hit-and-run collision one of two fatal hit-and-run incidents the same night claimed the life of a cyclist in Golden Gate Park, and now an arrest has been made in the case. As KRON 4 tells us, police have arrested and charged 19-year-old Nicky Garcia of San Francisco, saying they believe he was the driver of the stolen white Honda that flew through the park at high speeds, and killed 41-year-old Heather Miller.
The collision took place on the evening of June 22 on JFK Drive near 30th Avenue, and Garcia allegedly abandoned the stolen vehicle shortly afterward at the Angler’s Casting Club in the park. Investigators were apparently able to connect Garcia with the vehicle, and he was arrested Friday and booked on counts of murder, second-degree burglary, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit-and-run collision causing injury or death, and two other traffic violations (speeding and driving across a divided highway), per a release from the SFPD.
Bike advocates say that Miller's death was preventable, and the city is to blame. Speaking of both Miller's death and the death of a 26-year-old bicyclist in another hit-and-run the same night in SoMa, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition spokesman Chris Cassidy said earlier that "infrastructure at both intersections where the deaths occurred is woefully inadequate" and that police "are failing in their commitment to prevent serious bicycle injuries and fatalities by not writing enough citations for speeding, running red lights, failing to yield, violating turn restrictions and running stop signs."
Despite making the arrest, the investigation remains ongoing and the SFPD is still seeking further information in the case, if anyone has it. Witnesses or others with information can contact them at 415-575-4444.
Previously: Transit Advocates Trade Barbs As SFPD Seeks Suspect In Cyclist Slaying