A Seattle driver who police said hit a Jimmy John's delivery man on a bicycle was charged with hit-and-run – and investigators said he admitted to the crime.
Malcolm Beaver, 20, is accused of fleeing the scene after driving into a bicyclist near University Way Northeast and Northeast Campus Parkway. About 9 p.m. on Jan. 29, Beaver, who was driving a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, knocked the victim into the roadway, police said.
The victim—a Jimmy John's employee who was delivering sandwiches at the time—was wearing a helmet and a reflective vest. The LED headlight on the front of his bike was also flashing as he legally crossed the street, according to prosecutors.
Despite this, police said the suspect did not see the biker until it was too late, and Beaver sped away.
As a result of the crash, the victim – a recent University of Washington graduate – suffered several injuries. His most serious injury was a left knee fracture that needed surgery.
Beaver has been charged with hit-and-run, a Class C felony, which could land the suspect up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
After Detective Mark Smithers tracked down the suspect, Beaver gave him a written statement admitting that he had been the driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee that hit the victim. The suspect claimed that he panicked when the collision occurred because he did not have his license or insurance.
According to Smithers, Beaver "felt bad about what had happened…and wanted to get it off his conscience."
Many of the lights on University Way Northeast – better known as The Ave – are difficult to see at night. Some students and residents have questioned the street's safety.
On his Facebook page, the victim claims that he would like to see the lights on The Ave changed to be more biker friendly.
"[I want] to get the lights at campus parkway and The Ave changed," he wrote on Feb. 3, "so cars have a dedicated turn light to turn off of The Ave and this kind of crash can never happen again."
Beaver is expected to have an araignment, where he'll enter a plea, later this month.
This story has been updated.
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