June 14, 2010

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CHP now says fatal crash was caused by car

The hit-and-run driver is being charged with vehicular manslaughter

By Brian Day

SAN DIMAS, Calif — A motorcycle crash that killed an Upland man and injured an 11-year-old boy last week was not a solo crash, as initially reported by investigators.

It was caused by a hit-and-run driver who was behind bars Sunday, authorities said.

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Ryan Ferreira, 39, of West Covina was arrested Saturday on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and hit- and-run, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Kurt Stormes said.

Ferreira is suspected of performing an unsafe lane change in front of the motorcycle driven by Michael Smith, 36, of Upland about noon on June 6 on a transition road between the southbound 57 Freeway and the eastbound 10 Freeway, officials said.

The 11-year-old Upland boy was hospitalized with serious injuries but was recovering, authorities said.

In the days after the fatal crash, CHP officials said they suspected the crash involved only the motorcycle and no other vehicles, and that excessive speed on the part of the 2007 Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle was probably the cause of the crash.

Recently discovered physical evidence, along with an anonymous tipster, helped lead investigators to change their theory and arrest Ferreira on Saturday morning, Stormes said. Details of the arrest were not available Sunday.

The boy also reported to investigators that he recalled being struck by a truck before the motorcycle crashed, Stormes said.

Smith was believed to be a friend of the boy's mother, CHP Sgt. Steve Licon said.

According to sheriff's booking records, Ferreira was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and was due for arraignment today in Pomona Superior Court.

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