Woman Accused of Striking Bicyclist, Fleeing Scene in Bermuda Dunes

A 20-year-old Indio woman arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run in a collision with a bicyclist in Bermuda Dunes -- while possibly using a cellular telephone -- has been released from jail, authorities said Friday.

Liliana Villegas Avalos was arrested about 8 p.m. Wednesday, a little more than an hour after the crash was reported on eastbound Country Club Drive, west of 42nd Avenue.

Avalos, who was driving a Chevrolet Traverse on Country Club, "may have been using her phone, speeding and unsafely passing vehicles using the left- hand turn lane and right shoulder," California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Radford said.

Avalos allegedly tried to pass a vehicle by using the shoulder and struck the rear of a bicycle ridden by 28-year-old Chad Martin of Indio. Martin was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center.

Martin was released from hospital a few hours after his admission, a CHP dispatcher said today.

Officers learned where Avalos was and arrested her at Jefferson Street and Avenue 42. Alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor in the crash, Radford said.

Avalos, jailed in Indio, posted a $25,000 bond. She is expected in court April 10, according to jail records.

– City News Service.