Crime & Safety

Memorial Ride from Redlands to Beaumont for Bicyclist Fatally Injured in Calimesa

Bicyclists and organizers with the Inland Empire Biking Alliance are planning a memorial ride for Phil Richards, who was riding a bicycle when he was struck by an alleged hit-and-run motorist in Calimesa on Dec. 29.

Richards, 64, of Beaumont, died Jan. 11 at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, coroner's personnel reported.

The memorial ride is scheduled to start at Stell Coffee and Tea, 1580 Barton Road in Redlands, at 10 a.m. Saturday Jan. 25, Richards' friend Amber Woodyard said Tuesday.

The group will ride with a Redlands police escort to Yucaipa city limits, and then to a "ghost bike" set up where Richards was struck Dec. 29, Woodyard said. They'll then ride to Stewart Park in Beaumont for a ceremony.

The alleged hit-and-run driver, William Donald Johnson Sr., 42, of Calimesa, was located and first arrested Jan. 6 on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing serious/permanent injury. 

He was booked that evening at Smith Correctional in Banning and released the next day on $25,000 bail.

Johnson was re-arrested Jan. 17 in Calimesa and booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to inmate records. He remained locked up Tuesday at Smith Correctional where he was held on $75,000 bail. He has a court date Jan. 22 in Banning. 

Here is part of Woodyard's announcement about the memorial ride for Richards:

The Inland Empire Bike Alliance is forming a memorial bike ride the day of Phil's celebration of life this Saturday, January 25th.

The ride will begin at Stell Coffee and Tea in Redlands at 10 A.M. The Cyclists will have a police escort to the Yucaipa city limits from the Redlands PD. From there they will ride to the "ghost bike" a bicycle painted white, left at the sight of Phil's accident and observe a moment of silence before they will ride on to Stewart Park in Beaumont where the memorial will take place.

Phil was such a great man and very well known in the cycling community.

For more info on the bike ride, visit www.iebikingalliance.org or see the event post on Facebook.

For background see

UPDATE: Bicyclist Injured by Hit-Run Driver in Critical Condition, Family Friend Says

Calimesa Man Accused of Hit-and-Run on Bicyclist Critically Injured

Beaumont Man Dies from Injuries Suffered in Dec. 29 Hit and Run


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