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Loma Linda, California – In the early morning of Monday, August 4, 2025, a fatal hit-and-run claimed the life of a 65-year-old man who was riding his bicycle. The victim, described as a transient, was traveling along Redlands Boulevard when a blue Ford SUV struck him, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Instead of stopping to help, the driver fled, compounding the seriousness of the crime.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, and the injured cyclist was rushed to Loma Linda University Medical Center. Despite medical efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries. The Sheriff’s Department’s Central Station activated its Region I Major Accident Investigation Team to thoroughly examine the scene. Their investigation led to the identification and arrest of Marco Antonio Velardez, a 50-year-old Moreno Valley resident, in connection with the collision.
Velardez has been booked into the Central Detention Center on charges of Hit-and-Run resulting in death (California Vehicle Code §20001(a)(2)) and Vehicular Manslaughter (Penal Code §192(c)(2)). His bail is set at $30,000, according to the department’s report. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could aid the investigation, encouraging witnesses to contact detectives directly or submit anonymous tips via the We-Tip hotline or website.
Detectives Chris Bertetto, Matthew Magdaleno, and Deputy Rene Olivares are leading the ongoing investigation. Officials stress that community cooperation is vital in holding offenders accountable and reducing the dangers of hit-and-run crashes, which continue to endanger vulnerable road users across the region.
Source: Hoodline
Can You Seek Compensation After a Fatal Hit-and-Run Driver Is Jailed?
Yes — even if the at-fault driver in a fatal hit-and-run has already been arrested or is serving jail time, surviving family members may still have the right to pursue compensation through a civil claim. Criminal charges focus on punishing the offender, but they do not provide financial recovery for the losses suffered by the victim’s loved ones.
In these cases, working with experienced wrongful death attorneys is essential to seek damages for funeral expenses, loss of income, medical bills, and emotional suffering. If the fatal crash involved a bicycle, bicycle accident attorneys can help prove liability and the extent of damages. When the crash is the result of a driver fleeing the scene, hit and run accident attorneys can navigate the complexities of insurance claims, uninsured motorist coverage, and civil lawsuits.
If the collision happened in San Bernardino or nearby areas, a San Bernardino car accident attorney can provide local legal knowledge and represent you in court if necessary.
Criminal justice alone won’t cover your losses — but with the right legal representation, you can still fight for the compensation your family deserves.Contact Megeredchian Law today at (866) 359-0807 for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your options, and aggressively pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.