Mesa, AZ : Bicyclist killed in hit and run crash near 82nd Street and Apache Trail on Friday, July 11, 2014

A bicyclist was struck while riding along Main Street in Mesa and police say the driver took off, leaving the victim to die on the side of the road.

This all happened near 82nd Street and Apache Trail on Friday.

Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies say they've arrested 28-year-old Derrick Tinsley as the suspect in this case.

MCSO says another driver witnessed this deadly crash. That person told deputies the suspect was driving erratically going eastbound on Apache Trail in the far left lane when he suddenly swerved across all three lanes of traffic and hit the bicyclist who was in the right lane.

Authorities say the suspect left the scene, but a witness was able to provide a license plate for the vehicle that allegedly hit the victim.

Friends of the victim describe him a 60-year-old homeless Vietnam veteran who slept in driveways in the neighborhood, but has lived in the area for a long time. They say his name is Mikey and are heartbroken that someone would leave him to die on the side of the road.

"This is a person.. a human being!" exclaimed a woman in the area.

Tom Seip added, "I'm upset. He was homeless, but he was a good friend. He's been a good friend for twenty something years. Mikey was a nice guy. He fought for our country. This was no way for him to go."

Deputies say Tinsely was driving his company pickup truck at the time of the deadly crash. At the very least, he's expected to be face a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

Source :
Bicyclist killed in hit and run crash; suspect arrested