Goleta Bicyclist Suffers Major Injuries in Hit and Run

By the Ventura Police Department

Incident: Felony Hit and Run with Major Injuries
Location: Telegraph Rd. @ Joanne Ave.- City of Ventura
Date/Time Occurred: 9/21/23 @ 9:50 am
Officer(s) Involved: Ventura Police Patrol, Ventura Police Traffic Unit
Suspect(s): Edgar Landeros – 33-year-old Oxnard Resident
Victim(s): 64-year-old male – Goleta Resident (bicyclist)
Report #: 23-61137
Narrative:

On September 21, 2023, at about 9:50 am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding an injury traffic collision on Telegraph Road east of Joanne Avenue. Ventura Police patrol officers responded to that location and found the victim bicyclist lying in the roadway with major injuries to his lower body. Responding officers began an investigation and contacted the Ventura Police Traffic Unit to assist.

Based on witness and victim statements, it was determined that the victim was riding his bicycle westbound on Telegraph Road approaching Joanne Avenue. He was riding lawfully on the right side of the roadway between parked vehicles and westbound traffic lanes. As he was riding, a blue bus was traveling westbound in the #2 lane of Telegraph Road. As the bus overtook the bicyclist, it collided with the bicyclist’s handlebars, knocking the bicyclist to the ground. The bus’s rear wheels then ran over the bicyclist. A passing motorist, who was traveling behind the bus, observed the collision and stopped to render aid to the bicyclist. The bus continued its route without stopping to render aid or exchange information.

Based on a witness statement, it was determined that the involved bus belonged to the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). With assistance from the VCTC, officers were able to locate the bus and contact the driver. Based on statements, video evidence, and physical evidence on the bus, the driver (Edgar Landeros) was placed under arrest and booked at the Ventura Couty Jail for felony hit and run.

The Ventura Police Department would like to remind motorists that vehicles must leave a safe distance for bicycles when overtaking them. Vehicle code section 21760 states the following:

21760.

(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Three Feet for Safety Act.

(b) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall pass in compliance with the requirements of this article applicable to overtaking and passing a vehicle, and shall do so at a safe distance that does not interfere with the safe operation of the overtaken bicycle, having due regard for the size and speed of the motor vehicle and

the bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and the surface and width of the highway.

(c) A driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking or passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction and in the same lane of travel shall, if another lane of traffic proceeding in the same direction is available, make a lane change into another available lane with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law, before overtaking or passing the bicycle.

(d) If the driver of a motor vehicle is unable to comply with subdivision (c), due to traffic or roadway conditions, the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent, and may pass only when

doing so would not endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle, taking into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and surface and width of the highway.

Any questions regarding the bus or the bus driver should be directed to the Ventura County Transportation Commission.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Ventura Police Command Center at 805-650-8010.

The complete press release, including suspect description, can be viewed online at www.venturapd.org
If you have any information about this crime, you can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.