Witnesses Hold Motorist for Police After Cyclist Injured

Bystanders who witnessed a suspected drunk driver plow into a bicyclist, seriously injuring him, fought with the driver to prevent his escape and held him until officers arrived, police reported Wednesday.

“After seeing him hit that kid on the bike, I think anyone who saw that would have had to do something,” said Bob Oteri, a pizza parlor worker who ran into the street to help the injured bicyclist.

Michael Casper, 39, was booked at the Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of felony drunk driving in the accident that injured Freddie Ulloa, 22, of Reseda, Los Angeles police said.

Ulloa was listed in serious but stable condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center with internal injuries, a skull fracture and fractured ribs.

According to witnesses, Casper was driving south on Tampa Avenue near Vanowen Street shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday when he ran a red light and hit Ulloa’s bicycle, knocking him nearly 10 feet in the air, said Officer Steve Keith.

Ulloa’s bike was pinned under the car as it slammed into the curb in front of the pizza parlor.

“I heard the screech of the brakes and ran out here,” Oteri said. “There was a big crash and a thud. It felt like the whole building shook.”

Casper tried to escape but was overpowered by three witnesses, punching one of them in the face as he struggled, Oteri said. Casper “was fighting, screaming and hollering,” Oteri said.

Oteri’s boss at the pizza parlor, Kevin Omid, said he called police.

Police commended the bystanders’ action. “This would have been one of those statistics of drunk drivers getting away if they hadn’t grabbed him,” Keith said.

Casper suffered only minor injuries, police said.