Tahoe man, 53, arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run
TAHOE CITY, Calif. — A local man was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run after he allegedly struck a bicyclist with his SUV last week near Lake Tahoe’s North Shore.
Vicente Araujo, 53, of Kings Beach was arrested Friday, Nov. 15, after he confessed to striking a 23-year-old cyclist more than two hours earlier on Highway 28 near Old Country Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Araujo was traveling westbound in a 1991 Ford Explorer at about 5:05 p.m. on Highway 28, up Dollar Hill, when the vehicle drifted onto the right shoulder and struck the cyclist, James Hulett, of Boulder, Colo., who was riding the same direction.
Hulett was ejected from his bicycle and struck the roadway, suffering “major head trauma,” according to CHP. Hulett was transported via CareFlight helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center.
An update on Hulett’s condition is expected Wednesday.
Araujo initially fled the scene, but turned himself at about 7:30 p.m. at the Placer County Sheriff’s Office substation in Tahoe City, according to CHP.
Neither alcohol nor drugs are considered a factor in the collision, which remains under investigation.
It’s unknown if Hulett was wearing a helmet.
Anyone with information should contact the Truckee CHP office at 530-582-7570 and ask for Officer Roid.
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