Woman arrested for hit and run that seriously injured bicyclist

A bicyclist was seriously injured in Indio Wednesday night after a woman crashed into his bike on Country Club Drive. The woman was arrested about an hour later for leaving the scene of the accident, according to authorities.

Police said the crash happened around 6:50 p.m. just west of Avenue 42.

Chad Martin, 28, was riding his bicycle eastbound on Country Club Drive when an SUV driven by 20-year-old Liliana Avalos hit the back of his bike. Police said Avalos was unsafely passing a vehicle on her right and was partially driving on the right shoulder of the road.

The preliminary investigation suggests Avalos may have been using her phone and speeding when the crash occurred.

Martin was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center with major injuries.

Avalos drove away from the scene. Officers learned where she was located and they arrested her around 8 p.m. on felony hit and run charges.

Police said alcohol or drugs don’t appear to be factors in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.