Orinda Man Charged With Felony Hit And Run After Pinole Bike Crash

From the County District Attorney’s Office:

Martinez, Calif. – An Orinda man faces a felony hit and run charge for his role in a crash that injured a bicyclist in Pinole.

Today, Friday, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed one felony count of hit and run against 73-year-old Joseph Kish for violating VC20001(b)(1).

On July 25, 2022, at approximately 5:07 pm, Kish was driving on the 2100 block of Appian Way in Pinole when his vehicle struck a 41-year-old male cyclist from Oakland – knocking him off his bicycle onto the ground. Mr. Kish did not stop after the collision; a collision that causes injuries including a fractured pelvis to the cyclist.

After the crash, the cyclist was able to get out of the roadway and make it to a nearby motel where he called the police. A witness to the crash provided authorities with a statement and photos to assist them in their investigation. Police were able to locate the vehicle and trace it back to Kish, where it was later determined he was the driver of the vehicle that collided with the cyclist.

An arraignment date for Joseph Kish will be set by the court at a future date.

The California Vehicle Code grants bicyclists and motorists the same rights to share the road. A recent report by Contra Costa County Vision Zero notes that between 2014-2018, there were 14 bicycle-involved collisions that resulted in severe injury or death. The study recommends safety improvements for both urban and rural roads in the county. Transportation experts remind all that operating a vehicle safely means being aware of traffic conditions and adjusting speed and distance to avoid collisions.