Suspect in Hit-and-Run Death of Bicyclist Arrested

A hit-and-run suspect, wanted in connection with the death of a 20-year-old bicyclist who was struck by a car in Costa Mesa, was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border Monday, Costa Mesa police said.

Immigration officials detained Adrian Perez Araujo, 21, of Placentia at the border after he attempted to return to the United States with improper immigration documents, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Gary Webster said.

Araujo was identified as a suspect in the traffic fatality after he was overheard by co-workers at a Costa Mesa firm talking about the accident, which killed Jose Lisandro Osequeda, 20, of Costa Mesa.

“It turns out the suspect and his three passengers happen to work at the same location as the victim. The suspect and passengers were overheard talking about the accident, and someone reported it to a foreman. The foreman then called police,” Webster said.

Osequeda was hit from behind while cycling to work last Tuesday on Placentia Avenue near Scott Place. He was taken to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, where he died two days later of head injuries, Webster said.

Based on the information supplied by the foreman, police went to Araujo’s Placentia residence, where they found his car with front-end damage, Webster said. Police issued a felony warrant for Araujo, who apparently fled the country to Mexico, Webster said.

Immigration authorities notified Costa Mesa police after the suspect told authorities about the traffic accident during interrogation, Webster said.

Araujo was transported by San Diego police to a holding cell in San Diego. He is expected to be arraigned today in Orange County on a warrant for vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run, Webster said.