A tragic incident transpired on the streets of Loma Linda in the early hours of Monday, August 4, 2025, resulting in the death of a 65-year-old male bicyclist, whose existence on the margins of society as a transient did not diminish the severity of the crime committed against him. According to a report released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the victim was riding his bicycle along Redlands Boulevard when he was struck by a blue Ford SUV. The driver of the vehicle chose to flee the scene instead of rendering aid, exacerbating the gravity of his actions.
In the unfolding hours that followed the crime, law enforcement responded to the situation, and the victim was hastily transported to the Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries. Seeking justice for a life cut short, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Central Station dispatched the Region I Major Accident Investigation Team to meticulously process the scene of the hit-and-run. An individual named Marco Antonio Velardez, a 50-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, was later identified and apprehended as the suspect in connection with the incident.
Velardez now faces serious charges, with authorities booking him at Central Detention Center for violation of California Vehicle Code section 20001(a)(2), Hit-and-Run, and Penal Code section 192(c)(2), Vehicular Manslaughter. His bail has been set at $30,000.00, as stated in the sheriff’s department’s report. The report further emphasized the ongoing need for witness information to aid in the case and encouraged individuals who could contribute knowledge of the events to step forward, offering contact information for detectives and an option for anonymous tips through We-Tip…