Details emerged Monday about the hit-and-run crash on a winding road outside Healdsburg that injured professional cyclist Michael Torckler.
The suspected drunken driver, Arthur Ben Yu, 36, of Rohnert Park, was driving up Pine Flat Road in his father's Honda Accord on Friday when he cut a corner and hit Torckler, who was speeding downhill on his bike, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.
Yu was traveling about 20 miles per hour, Sloat said.
"As Yu approached a blind curve ... he began to cut the corner," Sloat said. "Instead of sticking to the right side like he should have, he cut the corner and hit the cyclist."
The impact knocked a mirror off the car, Sloat said. It was found at the scene.
The passenger got out of the car but Yu didn't stop, said the CHP.
"The passenger in the car advised Yu they needed to stop and check on the victim," Sloat said.
Yu was later arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run, car theft, drunken driving and driving with a suspended license.
Yu's driving record includes that his license was suspended as of 2006 due to a medical condition.
He also has a significant criminal record that includes four felony convictions dating back to 1998. In 2007, he was sentenced to five years and four months in state prison for felony burglary and theft convictions. He's also been to jail on car and firearms theft charges as well as for check forgery.
Last year, he served a short jail sentence for a misdemeanor petty theft conviction.
Staff Writer Paul Payne contributed to this story.
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