Hit-and-run driver who killed Simi Valley bicyclist gets 365 days in jail - Ventura C

Bernard (Bernie) Cooper (1934 - 2013)


Hit-and-run driver who killed Simi Valley bicyclist gets 365 days in jail
Ventura County Star
The self-taught handyman shared that passion with his family, often planning bicycle trips and gave suggestions to other bike riders. On the afternoon of Feb. 21, 2013, prosecutors said 78-year old Simi Valley man was riding his recumbent bicycle east on Tierra Rejada Road just east of Highway 23 when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Nicholas Anthony Santiago of Ridgecrest.

On Wednesday, Santiago appeared before Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ryan Wright and pleaded guilty to felony hit and run causing bodily injury or death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He was sentenced to 365 days in jail and five years probation.

California Highway Patrol officials who responded to the accident said Santiago, now 22, continued east on Tierra Rejada. After hitting Cooper with enough force to throw his body into a tree, 20-year old Nicolas Santiago of Ridgecrest drove for another mile-and-a-half before evidently having a change of heart and returning to the scene. Prosecutor Tate McCAllister said Santiago returned to the scene about 30 minutes later.

Cooper, who suffered blunt force trauma, died at the scene, McCallister said. It was Santiago’s first offense. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the accident, McCAllister said.

Before Ryan handed down his sentence Wednesday, Cooper’s family members gave tearful pleas for a maximum sentence.
“I want to know why Mr. Santiago did not stop,” said Cooper’s wife, Donna. “If he would have stopped and gone to my husband maybe there was one in a thousand chance that he could have lived.

Laura Marlowe, Cooper’s stepdaughter, said community members have erected a “ghost bike” memorial at the accident site. Still, it also serves as a painful reminder for their family.

Mr. Santiago has proven to have no respect for the law, no interest in keeping his vehicle properly maintained to ensure the safety of others, and apparently, not much respect for his fellow human beings,” Marlow said. “We continue to wonder why Mr. Santiago chose to leave his victim and not call 911 or ask someone else to call 911 directly after the accident he caused.”...




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Again, Hit and Run and get away with murder.


365 days and $1000.00. Small price for killing someone.

Sad:sadu: so sad.:sadu:

Gary

 

The judge who gave out that sentence should get life behind bars.