Driver at large after allegedly hitting cyclist

One suspect was arrested late Friday night and another remains at large after a Santa Rosa police officer observed an alleged hit-and-run collision with a vehicle and a bicyclist.

According to police, at 11:40 p.m. a patrol officer near the area of Burbank Avenue and Sebastopol Road witnessed a silver 2015 Hyundai Accent collide with a bicyclist at a low rate speed before driving off.

Police said the officer attempted to stop the vehicle to investigate, but the driver allegedly sped off at a high speed.

According to police, the pursuit began after the vehicle turned westbound on Hearn Avenue, and then continued on Stony Point Road before reaching West Third Street.

The driver collided with a traffic pole divider in the parking lot of an apartment complex near the 400 block of Stony Point Road, where police said the suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Police said the passenger, 21-year-old Rafina Ampier of Santa Rosa, was apprehended while attempting to flee, and arrested on suspicion of fleeing an officer and failing to obey an officer’s command.

According to police, the driver of the vehicle was not located, but was identified as 29-year-old Luis Hernandez Jr. of Santa Rosa. Hernandez is currently wanted on suspicion of felony evading and warrants.

Police said during the pursuit officers and medical personnel responded to the area of the initial collision, but were unable to locate the unidentified bicyclist as they had apparently left the area.

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