Traffic officers are investigating a hit and run which resulted in the death of a man who was riding his bicycle home.
On July 31, 2019 at 1:10 AM, Officers responded to the area of Mission Blvd and Baker Avenue reference a possible hit and run involving a vehicle and bicyclist. A bystander found the bicyclist on the shoulder and called the police department. Medical personnel arrived at the scene and pronounced the bicyclist deceased. It was determined the bicyclist was traveling westbound on Mission Blvd and was struck by an unknown vehicle just west of Baker Avenue. The formal identification of the victim is pending next-of-kin notification by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroner’s Office.
At 2:35 AM, officers responded to the parking lot of 1320 S. Baker Avenue reference a suspicious occupied vehicle. Officers arrived and contacted a solo occupant who was bleeding from his head and face. The vehicle had major front end damage that was consistent with evidence found at the hit and run scene.
The driver, Julio Tapia, a 31 year old male from Ontario, received minor injuries. He was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was arrested on charges of felony driving under the influence, hit and run, and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Ontario Police Department at (909) 986-6711 or Officer Brandon Resendez at (909) 408-1805.
Information can also be reported anonymously by calling WE-TIP at (800) 78-CRIME or online at www.wetip.com.