The California Highway Patrol announced an arrest Tuesday in a hit-and-run collision in Ramona last week that left a cyclist in a coma.
Chase E. Richard, 34, was taken into custody Tuesday on the 16000 block of Swartz Canyon Road in the unincorporated area of Ramona, less than 10 miles from where 53-year-old Michelle Scott was struck on Oct. 2.
Investigators say Scott was riding along on State Route 67, just north of Dye Road, when she was hit by a black Ford Edge SUV.
The vehicle reportedly traveled onto the highway shoulder, directly into Scott's path, ejecting her from her bike causing her to land on the roadway, investigators said. The reason the Edge drifted is still under investigation.
The bicycle became lodged in the front grille of the Edge as the driver continued on SR-67 northbound, CHP said. The fleeing driver used stolen license plates, according to investigators.
A bystander car tried chasing down the suspect but lost track of it as it drove recklessly through the streets, Garrow confirmed.
Richard was not arrested for nearly a week after the crash. He is being held on $1 million bail and is due in court in El Cajon on Wednesday on one count of hit-and-run.
Scott suffered significant injuries and was airlifted to Palomar Hospital where she remained in critical condition. As of Saturday, Scott was in a coma and on a ventilator.
Scott works for Power Plus in Escondido, a company with over 400 employees.
Her boss, CEO Steven Bray, recently called for the suspect to surrender. Bray said Scott is the second-most senior employee in the company.
Scott’s co-workers gathered Saturday morning for the Power Plus Olympics, a company event that Scott helped planned.
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“There is a somber mood at the office knowing that Michelle is at the hospital,” said co-worker, Brian Schultz.
This was the first time this festive event started with a company prayer.
“She is loved by everyone,” Schultz added. A GoFundMe page was set up to help Scott's family.
