Driver Arrested In Deadly Motorcycle Crash

A big rig driver was behind bars today on suspicion of causing the death of a motorcycle rider in a hit-and-run accident in Cathedral City.

Arnoldo Mijangos Beltran, 50, of Baldwin Park, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of felony hit and run and vehicular homicide in the death of John Michael King, 44, of Palm Desert, Cathedral City police Sgt. Scott Sharpe said without providing details of the arrest.

"Cathedral City Police received a call 5:27 a.m. Wednesday about a motorcycle tipped over near Cree and East Palm Canyon with no rider around,'' he said. "An officer found the unoccupied motorcycle, which had been involved in a collision, sitting off the north side of the road.''

Police searched the area and found the rider on the other side a fence, in a golf course, Sharpe said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A review of security video supplied by local businesses showed the motorcycle driver striking a curb as he swerve to avoid hitting a local delivery big rig that had made a u-turn in front of him, Sharpe said.

"After the crash, the truck driver stopped briefly and then left the scene,'' he said.

City News Service contributed to this report.