Suspect: Michael Jason Lopez, male Hispanic, 39 year old resident of Anaheim
On September 18, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Newport Beach Police Traffic Investigators arrested the above listed suspect for 192 (c)(1) PC- Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence. Lopez was arrested in Anaheim early this morning and the vehicle believed to be involved in the collision was recovered. He was booked at the Newport Beach Police Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail. Investigators are pursuing investigative leads and, in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation, the Department will not release any further information at this time.
Newport Beach Police Department personnel, with assistance from other Orange County law enforcement agencies, worked tirelessly since the incident occurred to bring the suspect into custody. They will continue these efforts throughout the investigation to insure justice will be served.
Details of the collision
On September 15, 2012 at approximately 9:45 a.m., the Newport Beach Police Department was notified of a major injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and bicyclist on Newport Coast Drive between Ocean Ridge Drive and Vista Ridge Drive.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Dr. Catherine Campion Ritz, a 57 year old resident of Irvine, was riding northbound on Newport Coast Drive with another bicyclist when she was struck from behind by a black pickup truck. The driver of the truck fled the scene without stopping to render aid and continued northbound on Newport Coast Drive. Dr. Campion Ritz was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and died from injuries sustained in the accident.
If anyone has additional information regarding this collision, please contact Traffic Investigator Eric Little at (949) 644-3746.
