CHANDLER, AZ — Police have identified a driver who allegedly hit and killed a bicyclist in Chandler early Wednesday morning.
Chandler officials say officers were dispatched to the area of Alma School Road and Galveston Street, north of Chandler Boulevard, around 2:30 a.m. Responding officers found a bicyclist down in the roadway.
The victim, 40-year-old Joseph Theodore Kowalczyk, was taken to the hospital and later died.
Police believe a vehicle collided with the bicyclist, failed to stop and continued northbound on Alma School Road.
Investigators determined vehicle parts left at the accident scene belonged to a Dodge Ram truck. A search by investigators located a white Dodge Ram 1500 with front end damage in the parking lot of an apartment complex nearby. Evidence on the Dodge Ram, including bicycle paint and clothing, was found in the truck's front end linking it to the hit and run accident.
The driver of the Dodge Ram was later identified as 48-year-old Ryan Sean Pereira. Police say Pereira, was taken into custody and is facing felony charges.
