Two Cyclists Killed in Alleged DUI Crash During Halloween Ride in California
Authorities arrested a suspect on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run.
Two cyclists were killed and one was dragged for over a mile when an alleged drunk driver struck a group of 30 riders during a Halloween night event in Montclair, California. The victims have been identified as Robert Garcia Umanzor, 25, and Rumor Ortiz, 30.
The collision occurred on Kingsley Street near Tudor Avenue around 10:39 p.m. on Saturday. Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, was arrested early Sunday at his nearby home on suspicion of driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run, and gross vehicular manslaughter, police said. He faces charges including driving under the influence causing injury or death, driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run involving death or serious injury, and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Friends and family gathered at the crash scene on Monday for a vigil, remembering Ortiz as a kindhearted and joyful single mother and Umanzor as a fun-loving and sociable individual who cherished his loved ones. About 100 people attended the memorial, where attendees called for increased caution on the roads and stricter enforcement against impaired drivers.
Umanzor's family has established a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses during this difficult time.
