VENTURA (KTLA) — A hit-and-run driver struck three bicyclists, killing one of them, before being arrested by police at his home in Ventura Thusday night.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 49-year-old Satnam Singh, who was driving a Hummer. He was involved in three accidents along Telegraph Road, but failed to stop in each case, officials said.

In the first, he struck two bicyclists — a mother and daughter, according to police. Fortunately, the victims did not suffer serious injuries.

The suspect then hit another vehicle, with a family of three inside. They also escaped serious injury.

The suspect continued on and struck a third bicyclist.                                                                                           

The victim, 20-year-old Nick Haverland, was killed.
Nancy Crawford tried to help Haverland but realized there was nothing she could do.

“I was in shock and I kept looking at the young man to see if he was breathing but he wasn’t breathing,” she said.

“The impact was so so hard that it had to have taken him instantly.”

A witness started following the Hummer and called 911.

Police met the suspect as he arrived at his home in the 100 block of Kennedy Avenue.

Singh initially refused to get out of his vehicle, police said.

Officers opened a rear hatch and sent a dog inside.

They were finally able to pull Singh out of the car and take him into custody.

Singh was booked on felony drunk driving, hit and run and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, officials said.

Haverland was said to have been riding his bicycle to go take a final exam for college.

Authorities said he will be charged with felony hit and run and resisting arrest.

Police have not said whether alcohol may have played a factor in the accidents.

Hit and Run Felony – When Hit and Run results in bodily injury or death, a felony will be charged. According to California Law, a Hit and Run Felony is defined as, “a failure to immediately stop at the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving death or permanent injury to any person(s) associated with the accident.” Possible consequences for a Hit and Run Violations A person charged with hit and run may be subject to enhancements if:

• a third party was injured during the accident
• there was excessive damage to property
• the person caused a wrongful death
• the person has a prior criminal conviction

A hit and run conviction can result in jail time, monetary fines, probation, community service, and driver’s license suspension.

How soon after I am injured do I have to file a lawsuit?

Every state has certain time limits called “statutes of limitations,” which govern the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In some states, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit arising out of an automobile accident. If you miss the deadline for filing your case, your claims can be dismissed. Consequently, it is important to talk with a lawyer as soon as you receive or discover an injury.

What damages are recoverable in pedestrian accident cases?

The injured party may recover damages for past and future medical expenses, past and future wage loss, past and future pain and suffering. If the defendant’s conduct is extreme, punitive damages may be awarded. If the pedestrian dies, his or her survivors are entitled to recover full compensation for their economic losses that result from the pedestrian’s death, as well as damages which stem from the loss of society care and comfort of the decedent.

Do I need to retain an attorney?

It is almost always a good idea to retain an attorney in a pedestrian accident case because there usually will be some questions related to fault and comparative negligence. Expert witnesses may need to be retained to reconstruct the accident factors, and help determine responsibility for the accident.The family members of the victim would be well advised to contact California Wrongful Death Attorney Gary A. Kessler about their legal rights in a wrongful death claims.