Two teens were charged with vehicular manslaughter on Friday for a bicycle accident that killed professional cyclist Jorge Alvarado, newest member of the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team. It was a tragic accident that has stunned the cycling world. Patrick Roraff and Brett Morin face one felony count each from the April 8 bicycle accident that authorities described as a spontaneous street race gone bad involving a trio of Redlands East Valley High classmates. Neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the bike accident. "Individually, their driving behavior may not have resulted in the tragedy that occurred," Supervising Deputy District Attorney Vic Stull said Friday, "but combined, it was just almost vehicular Russian roulette -- way beyond what anybody would see as reasonable conduct."
Street Racing Blamed In Bike Accident
Three Hondas driven by the classmates, ( the third driver was not charged) were northbound on Greenspot Road, near Santa Ana Canyon Road, when Roraff's car moved into the southbound lane to pass Morin's, San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies said.
Roraff's car spun out while traveling 70 mph when Roraff lost control of his white Honda and crossed traffic and struck Alvarado, who was riding his bicycle along the road's southbound lanes while training for an upcoming cycling event.
After being thrown from his bike, the 27-year-old Ontario resident died at the scene. Alvarado had just joined the popular Bahati team this year from the California based Velo Club LaGrange program. A promising amateur, Alvarado’s palmares included top-ten finishes at the San Francisco Twilight Criterium, Tour de Nez circuit race and Superweek.
Pro Cycling Team Mourns Bicycle Crash Victim
Most recently he rode to a win at the UCLA Road Race and finished in fifth place at the Redlands Classic pro-am criterium. USA Cycling technical director Shawn Farrell notified team manager Steve Owens of the bike accident and, after Bahati Foundation staff confirmed Alvarado’s identity, CEO Eric Smart and Floyd Landis notified his brother of his death.
Alvarado’s brother had to notify their parents of the bicycle crash in rural Mexico. Rahsaan Bahati said Alvarado was a friend and teammate. “A humble and generous person’s life was taken prematurely in our eye, yet I know God has other plans,” said Bahati.
“The Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team riders and staff send all the love we can give to Jorge’s family in this tragic time,” said Bahati. Attorneys for Roraff and Morin said Friday that they expect their clients to surrender and be present at their arraignment early next week. Both defendent’s lawyers called the bike accident a tragedy but disagreed with authorities that it was a street race.
Contact Bicycle Accident Lawyer
"My client has expressed sorrow for the tragic loss of life from the very beginning," Roraff’s lawyer said. "I personally look forward to trying this case in the court of law and not through public forums on the Internet." If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, please contact a bicycle accident lawyer today at The Law Offices of Nadrich & Cohen, we can help you.
