A man was arraigned in Riverside County Superior Court on Thursday on a charge relating to the death of a 46-year-old bicyclist in July.
Sergio Reynaldo Gutierrez, 31, of Riverside, allegedly killed Benedicto Solanga, also of Riverside, by striking him intentionally with his car. Gutierrez has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.
Riverside police said the incident occurred on Market Street in Riverside near the Pomona (60) Freeway underpass on July 29.
Riverside police officer Ryan Railsback said Gutierrez was driving his Ford F-250 pick-up truck when he encountered Solanga on a bicycle. Railsback told City News Service there was an "interaction" between the two, possibly related to traffic, after which Solanga resumed his ride. At this point, Gutierrez "made a U-turn and struck the victim, causing him to be seriously injured," before speeding away.
Solanga died of his injuries three days later.
It took detectives three weeks to track down Gutierrez. He was arrested on Aug. 17.
Gutierrez faces one count of murder in addition to a sentence enhancement of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He is presently being held at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside. Bail is set at $1 million.
Gutierrez is due back in court on Nov. 18 for a felony settlement conference.
