LAKE COUNTY ? A California Highway Patrol officer arrested a 59-year-old Kelseyville man Tuesday on suspicion of felony hit-and-run of a 77-year-old bicyclist.
Officers booked Mark George Sanders into the Lake County Jail about 6 p.m. Tuesday, Officer Steve Tanguay of CHP said.
The bicyclist, Derek Millard of Kelseyville, suffered bruises and road rash to his hands and wrists, his son Steve Millard said. Millard”s family took him to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake where he was treated and released.
About 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Millard started to cross Highway 29 to continue on Red Hills Road with a green pedestrian crossing light, Tanguay said. At that time, Sanders approached the intersection driving west on Highway 281, turned right on a green light and hit Millard, who was crossing the street.
The elder Millard”s bike was ruined but he was OK even though he wasn”t wearing a helmet, Steve Millard said.
“The guy struck my dad and knocked him off his bike,” the younger Millard said. “He went flying.”
Sanders then fled the scene in his 1997 Mazda pick-up truck, Tanguay said.
A witness got information on the pick-up truck and called police, Tanguay said. A CHP officer saw Sanders, stopped him and arrested him.
CHP doesn”t suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash, Tanguay said. Officer Mark Crutcher of CHP is still investigating the case.
Steven Millard said he”s upset his dad was hit.
“He”s had several close calls, brush-bys,” the younger Millard said. “People have been within inches of him. But my dad”s elderly.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
