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StumbleDriver charged with DUI in death of bicyclist in Summerlin
Published Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 | 11:22 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 | 2:22 p.m.
Feliciano Gonzales
Fatal collision
Metro Police said the driver of a sport utility vehicle who they say struck and killed a bicyclist this morning in Summerlin has been charged with drunken driving.
Police arrested 38-year-old Feliciano Gonzales in connection with drunken driving resulting in death and hit-and-run causing a death, both felonies.
Officials said a 27-year-old man, who has not been identified, was riding his bike on Rampart Boulevard, just north of Del Webb Boulevard, when a 1999 Toyota Rav4 traveling north went off the road to the right, striking him from behind.
The collision ejected the bike rider, who was traveling in the bicycle lane, and he landed on the landscaped shoulder of the road, police said. He was transported to University Medical Center's trauma unit, where he died.
Officials said Gonzales initially fled the scene, but police found him at Cheyenne Avenue and Rampart Boulevard a short time later and arrested him.
The collision, the 45th traffic-related fatality in Metro's jurisdiction this year, is under investigation.
NOTE: Police initially reported the victim was 30 years old, but later determined he was 27. The age has been changed in the story.
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You would think that a bicyclist should be safe from a drunk driver at 8:00 a.m. in the morning.
R.I.P. Mr. Bicyclist. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Once again if you put yourself on the streets in Vegas without a car or truck wrapped around you it is risky. This kind of thing should never happen but as we see on a daily basis it does.
Really sad. I commute everyday by bike in the summer in a large Midwest City. I am in Vegas a lot and bought a bike out there once. The first time I rode it I realized just how crazy it was to ride in Vegas. Fortunately it was stolen a few nights later.
Sorry to hear about this news - specially since I was on my bike for 2 hours this morning too. It could have been any of us riding this morning....
Vegas drivers should be required to be educated in how to deal with and share the road with bicyclists. I don't remember any mention of bicyclist during driver ed classes.
Also, bicyclists should also be educated on how to ride with traffic. In Hawaii, you have to have bike permit on your bike - which means you have to take a class on how to ride with traffic and to know the rules of riding. I've seen too many casual bike riders here in Vegas riding againsts traffic, on sidewalks, no helmet, and riding their bike recklessly too. Vegas people need more education and awareness.
ReijinRonin
While your point about bike riders is very true, You did not read the article. He was killed by a hit and run drunk driver. All the safety in the world probably would not have saved him. Yes there are lots of drunks on the road in the early morning in Vegas and Henderson.
I have been hit twice while riding in Las Vegas and neither time was there anything I could have done to prevent it other than not riding a bicycle. The first time was on Maryland Parkway across from the Boulevard when a car went past me and then turned into a parking lot. As I was flying over the handlebars all I could think of was all those cars behind me that would not have time to stop. Fortunately I was able to roll off the street along with my bike with only minor scrapes. It was very scary none the less.
While I agree that drivers and cyclists alike need more education overall on sharing our roadways, I believe that one's lack of education had anything to do with this tragedy.
Our collective thought's should go out to the Victim, his family, and friends affected by this tragedy.
If the individual driving was indeed intoxicated as Metro suspects, then a whole series of poor decisions were made the moment he/she turned their engine over to embark on the road intoxicated this fateful morning.
Several people have asked me to keep posting this video hoping it might make a difference.
http://tiny.cc/uy35l
or better yet, save a life.....
Its a hit and run, he left the scene and came back, the time between he left and came back might of made a difference in medical aid response. People bicyclist share the road, give them a break, motorist give everyone a break by paying attention while driving and drive the speed limit and obey all traffic laws. Just think how safe the roadways would be. Traffic laws are for your safety and the safety of others.
If I need to ride my bike on a sidewalk, then that's what I do. I still prioritize any pedestrians on the sidewalk. But I've seen too many insane drivers, even if there is a designated bike lane. And where there isn't a bike lane, I've seen too many situations where bicycle riders stay in the street and force all traffic in the right lane to have to move to the center lane. To me, that's highly irresponsible on the part of the bike rider. (It may be within their rights, but do they really need to prove that point?) I'd rather take a ticket for riding on a sidewalk than be killed or cause a car accident if I could have done otherwise.
Thrill-a-second in this town; I'll tell you what.
So what does Chunky think?
Just out of curiosity, did law enforcement check the status of Feliciano? Did he have a driver's license and insurance?
The TV news said they finally found him and his car at a bar.
..To "LakeMeader"..
Your fanfare is right, more people need to see that video, too bad they couldn't add it to the driver safety school corriculum, for drivers' that have to go to keep from having extra points taken off they're licenses.....pretty powerful stuff.....
Insured? Registered? Resident?
Doubtful. This guy needs to go to jail for life.
Bicyclists have the same road rights as cars do, unfortunately bicycles don't weigh two tons.
As an avid cyclist, this is terribly sad.
Regardless of what opinions some individuals have riding legally in our streets are within our rights. Regardless of the laws this individual didn't have a chance. This type of tragedy should not be the way the public should be informed. Bikes have the right to the road as does a motor vehicle. As long as both obey the laws. It sad to think that Dmv does not let drivers know what rights bicycles have on the roads. I pray for this individual's family and friends. 27 years young!!!!
I agree with Teaser. When I ride my bike I also ride on the sidewalk. Much safer than the street.
Do you think the driver went to the bar as a cover for being drunk after, rather than before the accident ?
very very sad...prayers to the family...wish the local media would be more active to dig a little deeper as to the "possible" larger story behind this. Whether or not this guy is illegal? AZ has taken the fore front but criminal illegal aliens are a pervasive problem here in the valley, and this may or may not be another glaring example...
DUI drivers who kill deserve to get the maximum prison term even if they have no priors. This could have been any of us who ride bikes. I train anywhere from 100-400 miles per week and sometimes I use that same section of road when I come out of Sun City, because as much as I try to stay on side roads, you have no choice but to ride some of the busier streets in order to get to work or home. They have put a distinct bike lane on Rampart which helps a lot with sober and sane drivers. But with a DUI, this poor bike rider did not have a chance. I pray for him and his family. I just hope his pain was short and quick; unfortunately his family and friend's pain will be very long because of this DUI's stupidity. I am very active in the cycling community and know hundreds of the local cyclists, so I do not even know if he is someone I know since the name has not been released yet.
While I understand at times some would use the sidewalk for their bicycle. I feel it's very inappropriate and in bad taste, especially on an article of this trajedy for someone who admitedly is breaking the law to tell someone else they shouldn't ride their bike on the road legally.
My heartfelt condolences go out to this young mans family.
Citizens for a Cleaner, Safer and Healther Nevada, Henderson.
In the Vegas valley there are no pedestrians or bicyclists, only targets!
Unfortunately, the victims are at the mercy of the law enforcement, the legal system, and Judges; none of whom seem to care.
I'm very lucky; 70,000 bike miles in the valley and only hit once.
cpo, when I commented on this earlier, all the article said was that he's a "bicyclist" - which means anyone riding a bicycle. The earlier did not mention much else.
We know more about the victim now. He was a member of Biking Las Vegas and a member of the 4:50am group who rides that area regularly. I am confident that the victim knew what he was doing and knew how to ride safe. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am sorry for his family and friends.
The DUI guy will probably end up with charges akin to negligent homicide and hopefully will be behind bars for a long time so he can't do something like this again.
I only mention about how bad it is to be riding on the sidewalk because I learned the hard way that in Vegas, bicycles are treated like cars! Police expects you to drive like any motor vehicles - somehow I did not learn that in driver's ed.
My nephew was hit by a car (car was leaving a parking lot and did not see/expect the bike on the sidewalk) while riding his bicycle on a sidewalk going opposite of traffic. When the cop arrived, he said the car driver can't be charged with anything because my nephew was the one at fault for being on a sidewalk and riding against traffic instead of riding on the road like a car.
My nephew had to be taken to ER and the bike was totaled. I had to pay everything out of pocket because the car driver was deemed not to be at fault. He won't even give me his insurance information. My nephew lived with scrapes and bruises so I decided not to pursue legally pursue it.
Expensive piece of lesson to learn. :(
Let's not focus on the driver here, the fact is he took someone's life the moment he started driving under the influence! He will have to live with that the rest of his life.. hopefully in jail... but probably not long enough.
The cyclist was someone's son, maybe someone's brother..a loved one. It's very, very sad.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.
Deepest sympaathy to the family...this is a tragic loss for them. We cannot forget the suffering the family is going through at this time.
Drunk driver - hang him by his cajones...he ain't gonna need them where he is going. And he would not be able to procreate.
Approximately 38% of Las Vegas drivers have a measurable level of blood alcohol at any given time.
"What the hell is an illegal doing in Summerlin?"
Other than driving around drunk and killing people, not much.
Chunky says:
Thanks for asking!
Chunky likes anything with two or four wheels and always worries about his friends who pedal or ride the two wheeled variety.
The 24/7 DUI problem in Las Vegas is not just a problem, it's an epidemic that has no regard for race or immigration status.
The death of anyone at the hands of a drunk driver sadden Mr. & Ms. Chunky and our sympathies go out to the family.
Chunky also wishes all his two-wheeled friends would wear proper protective gear, hi-viz clothing and follow safe riding/driving practices that give them a fighting chance against such poor odds.
Driving impaired or distracted deserves the same punishment and Chunky wants everyone driving cars and trucks to at least go hands-free with a Bluetooth or wired headset.
That's what Chunky thinks!
LakeMeader, God Bless you! Your an angel. <3
Obviously, the driver did not heed the multiple "Share the Road" signs paid for by taxpayers - what a waste! Build decent bike lanes instead.
Deport all illegals IMMEDIATELY before they kill YOU out there on the streets...
God forgive us. the most powerful vid I've seen.
God help us.
Several people have asked me to keep posting this video hoping it might make a difference.
http://tiny.cc/uy35l
Thank you lakemeader
There's obviously a lot about this situation that those of us reading about it or watching on TV will never know. It's a heartbreaking tragedy. But, as someone who knows Feliciano, I can say that he is NOT an 'illegal', and is living and working legally in the US as he has been for several years. So, to all who have jumped to erroneous conclusions about his citizenship or work status, shame on you for adding this fuel to an already flaming fire. There is enough that is bad about this terrible event as it is, without complicating the matter with false accusations and mean-spirited assumptions.
oh man - thanks for clearing that up.
wow - I feel so ashamed.
Hey squarepeg- go fit your self in a round hole.
Everyone should watch Lakemeader's video link. It's hard to take though.
My deepest sympathies to the family of the bicyclist. This is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved.
Now I want to address the ignorant comments posted here. Feliciano was born and raised in the US as were his parents,so he's as American as anyone. He's a talented, educated individual with a masters degree that has always been a hard working, law abiding citizen. He made a horrible mistake that I would bet many of you have also made, but were fortunate enough not to have anything bad happen. It's easy to see that these comments are nothing more than comments made by racists that know nothing about Feliciano the person. They only see the Spanish surname and immediately want to send him back to Mexico. It's too bad we have to be subjected to comments made by idiots like this. The good thing is these idiots aren't intelligent enough to matter.
It's horrible that a life was lost and it's also horrible for Feliciano and his family.
Video from lakemeader was good.
But sadly, many people's arrogance disallows them the ability to see themselves in those situations. It's always someone else that's the "idiot," always someone that's illegal or drunk. Or, they write it off as one of those things, as if it was going to happen regardless. But the reality is so much more.
We can all make simple, easy changes to how we drive that would save a lot of lives. But we're all in just such a hurry, and way too important to pay any attention, aren't we?
I am so very sorry for the cyclist's family and friends, and every other family that lost loved ones to someone else's bad choice.
Send 1.5 million people here in the valley to Mexico please, and give us back our safe quiet little town we used to enjoy...
These are the illegal invaders the feds don't bother with--only those with past convictions for murder, rape and such. So this policy (when they get around to activating it) leaves all the lower life forms to steal everything they can and ship it south. As they reside among us they continue to damage and kill us off. DEPORT THEM ALL. REVOKE citizenship if necessary even after properly interpreting the 14th Amendment to NOT INCLUDE THOSE BORN HERE ILLEGALLY, WITHOUT OUR CONSENT. If your Mama wasn't here legally, you ARE NOT A CITIZEN.
It doesn't matter if you drive, bike, ride a motorcycle, take the bus, or walk: anytime you go out in this city, you put your life in jeopardy. I am an avid bicyclist and, in the philosophy of reduced expectations, expect only the worst when I bike, drive, or walk in Las Vegas given the epidemic of self-centered, rude, and poorly-trained drivers here. Nevertheless, I would be interested in knowing if the bicyclist had a helmet on. My guess is that he did but it would be nice to verify this. May he rest in peace. Sympathies to his family.
Hey Broncofan - when did this story become about the P.O.S. Drunk
who hit and ran. If he is such a Good Guy? then do his time.
stick the racist comment up your hole.
dummy.
By BroncoFan
Aug. 4, 2010
Now I want to address the ignorant comments posted here. Feliciano was born and raised in the US as were his parents,so he's as American as anyone. He's a talented, educated individual with a masters degree that has always been a hard working, law abiding citizen. He made a horrible mistake that I would bet many of you have also made, but were fortunate enough not to have anything bad happen. It's easy to see that these comments are nothing more than comments made by racists that know nothing about Feliciano the person. They only see the Spanish surname and immediately want to send him back to Mexico. It's too bad we have to be subjected to comments made by idiots like this. The good thing is these idiots aren't intelligent enough to matter.
It's horrible that a life was lost and it's also horrible for Feliciano and his family.
Thank you "fumiko" for revealing yourself as one of the ignorant, idiot, racists I was referring to. You obviously are an idiot because you missed the whole point. The truth hurts and the fact that you are an idiot should also hurt. You and the other idiot, "environprotector" are made for each other. Again, we are lucky you two aren't intelligent enough to matter.
There is irony here for those of you impassioned commenters who are so insistent on ridding this town of all the "illegals" and assuming that anyone with a spanish last name is here illegally:
Go check the last name of the victim.
The wisest and most productive thing to do here would be to just acknowledge the horrible situation here, the tragic loss, and hope that people learn from it. But please, leave race out of it. It really has no place.