Thread: Marine Captain Killed In Hit-And-Run

This has been a slow developing story in our area that is a big tragedy. I don't know if the guy is illegal but he sure doesn't speak english. Maybe more news will come out how he got into the country.

http://www.10news.com

Click to Watch Video


Authorites Make Arrest In Hit, Run Case
Man Admits Involvement In Accident

SAN DIEGO -- Detectives Thursday arrested a Mira Mesa man who allegedly admitted involvement in a hit-and-run traffic accident that killed a 29-year-old Marine Corps officer bicycling to work on a Miramar-area street.

Jose Luis Cifuentes, 58, confessed Thursday afternoon to being the driver whose vehicle struck USMC Capt. Patrick Klokow in the 7300 block of Kearny Villa Road early Tuesday morning, San Diego police reported.

Cifuentes underwent several interrogations after being pulled over near the scene of the fatal crash in a minivan with a mangled front end.

He initially insisted the damage had occurred in an unrelated freeway accident, SDPD Detective Sgt. Jeff Fellows said.

Klokow, a Santa Clara native and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was pedaling to the south near State Route 163 about 6 a.m. when a vehicle hit him from behind at high speed. The involved motorist kept driving, leaving the serviceman dying in the roadway, according to investigators.

About four hours later, a motorcycle officer investigating the crash spotted Cifuentes' Mercury Villager traveling along Kearny Villa Road, about a quarter-mile from the scene of the fatality, Fellows said.

Police pulled Cifuentes over, took him into custody and impounded the vehicle, which had a smashed windshield and crumpled hood.

During an initial round of questioning, Cifuentes said his vehicle had been damaged by lumber that fell out of a truck in front of him as he drove near the intersection of Interstate 805 and State Route 52, Fellows said.

Police found no corroboration for that story, the sergeant said, but released him pending the results of forensic tests on the minivan and a lie-detector exam.

At the time of his death, Klokow was on his way to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he served as commanding officer of a company that trains military instructors.

In January 2003, Klokow deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, then went to Iraq two months later, serving combat duty until that July.

Klokow, a triathlete, had been stationed at MCRD for about two years.

A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he was married with no children.

www.signonsandiego.com

Mira Mesa man confesses involvement in Marine hit-and-run accident


SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES

4:05 p.m. August 25, 2005

SAN DIEGO – Detectives Thursday arrested a Mira Mesa man who allegedly admitted involvement in a hit-and-run traffic accident that killed a 29-year-old Marine Corps officer bicycling to work on a Miramar-area street.
Jose Luis Cifuentes, 58, confessed Thursday afternoon to being the driver whose vehicle struck USMC Capt. Patrick Klokow in the 7300 block of Kearny Villa Road early Tuesday morning, San Diego police said.

Cifuentes underwent several interrogations after being pulled over near the scene of the fatal crash in a minivan with a mangled front end.

He initially insisted the damage had occurred in an unrelated freeway accident, Detective Sgt. Jeff Fellows said.

Klokow, a Santa Clara native and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was pedaling to the south near state Route 163 about 6 a.m. when a vehicle hit him from behind at high speed. The involved motorist kept driving, leaving the serviceman dying in the roadway, according to investigators.

About four hours later, a motorcycle officer investigating the crash spotted Cifuentes' Mercury Villager traveling along Kearny Villa Road, about a quarter-mile from the scene of the fatality, Fellows said.

Police pulled Cifuentes over, took him into custody and impounded the vehicle, which had a smashed windshield and crumpled hood.

During an initial round of questioning, Cifuentes said his vehicle had been damaged by lumber that fell out of a truck in front of him as he drove near the intersection of Interstate 805 and state Route 52, Fellows said.

Police found no corroboration for that story, the sergeant said, but released him pending the results of forensic tests on the minivan and a lie-detector exam.

At the time of his death, Klokow was on his way to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he served as commanding officer of a company that trains military instructors.

In January 2003, Klokow deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, then went to Iraq two months later, serving combat duty until that July.

Klokow, a triathlete, had been stationed at MCRD for about two years.

A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he was married with no children.



http://www.10news.com/news/4885220/detail.html

Marine Captain Killed In Hit-And-Run
Bicyclist Was Riding To Work At MCAS

POSTED: 7:40 am PDT August 23, 2005
UPDATED: 1:57 pm PDT August 23, 2005

SAN DIEGO -- A hit-and-run traffic crash killed a Marine Corps officer Tuesday as he was riding his bicycle to work on a Miramar-area thoroughfare, authorities reported.

The victim was pedaling south on Kearny Villa Road when a vehicle hit him just west of state Route 163 at about 6 a.m., according to San Diego police.

The rider, reportedly a USMC captain based at nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, died at the scene. His name was not immediately available.

As the motorist involved in the crash drove from the area, the driver of a cement truck pulled over to try to help the unidentified victim and keep other vehicles from running him over, SDPD Detective Gary Hassen said.

Investigators then arrived and closed a stretch of the street along with an entrance ramp to state Route 163.

About four hours later, a patrol officer spotted a heavily damaged minivan traveling along Kearny Villa Road, about a quarter-mile from the scene of the fatality, Detective Sgt. Jeff Fellows told reporters.

Police pulled the motorist over, took him into custody for questioning and impounded the vehicle, which had a smashed windshield and crumpled hood.

"Until we get our forensic examination completed with this van, or until I hear a confession, we're not at the point where we're going to say this is the suspect, but it is logical for us to follow up on both the driver and the vehicle at this time," Fellows told 10News.

Officials declined to immediately release the motorist's name.

Unspeakably sad.

RR

giving a false statement during the investigation of a crime is against the law -- wonder if he will get immunity if he's "illegal"

I have a feeling the guy is legal now but bet he benefited from one of the amnesty programs offered in the past. They were talking to him on the news and he couldn't speak any English. What really angered me is he didn't seem upset he killed a person and fled the scene.

What really angered me is he didn't seem upset he killed a person and fled the scene.

Only thing he's upset about is he got caught!

www.nctimes.com

Man arrested in Marine's death

By: North County Times

SAN DIEGO ---- Police arrested a Mira Mesa man Thursday after he allegedly admitted being the hit-and-run driver who killed a Marine who was bicycling to work.

Capt. Patrick Klokow, 29, was struck from behind at 6:10 a.m. Tuesday while riding from his Scripps Ranch home to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, authorities said.

They said the driver didn't stop after hitting the decorated Iraqi war veteran and there weren't any witnesses.


About five hours later an officer stopped the driver of a severely damaged mini-van. Police said he was questioned, denied doing it and was released.

Detective Sgt. Jeff Fellows said that man, 58-year-old Jose Luis Cifuentes of Mira Mesa, was arrested Thursday afternoon on suspicion of felony hit-and-run driving during a police polygraph test and interview.

"He did initially deny that he was involved, but at some point he admitted that it was him," Fellows said. "He told us he was scared."

He said Cifuentes told detectives that he has significant health problems, needs a transplant, and was concerned he wouldn't get the necessary medical attention if he was in custody for some time.

Does look like this guy is legal.

www.signonsandiego.com

Mira Mesa man pleads not guilty in Marine's hit-run death


SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES

3:31 p.m. August 29, 2005

SAN DIEGO – A Mira Mesa man pleaded not guilty Monday to manslaughter and hit-and-run-causing-death charges in connection with a crash that claimed the life of a 29-year-old Marine officer bicycling to work.
San Diego police said Jose Luis Cifuentes, 58, confessed Thursday afternoon to driving the vehicle that struck USMC Capt. Patrick Klokow in the 7300 block of Kearny Villa Road Tuesday morning.

Cifuentes underwent several interrogations after being pulled over near the crash scene while driving a minivan with a mangled front end. He initially insisted the damage occurred in an unrelated accident, police said.

Judge Roger Krauel ordered the defendant held on $75,000 bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Sept. 12. A settlement conference was set for Sept. 6.

Deputy Public Defender Allen Cazares said Cifuentes had lived in San Diego for 14 years and was on his way to dialysis treatment when the accident occurred.

The defendant lives with his wife, son and daughter-in-law, Cazares said.

Deputy District Attorney William Gentry asked for $100,000 bail, saying Cifuentes is a United States citizen but has family ties to Mexico.

Cifuentes faces up to four years in prison if convicted of felony hit-and-run, the prosecutor said. The manslaughter charge is a misdemeanor.

Gentry said the defendant may have faced only misdemeanor counts if he had not left the crash scene. He advised motorists to stop if they're involved in an accident.

Leaving the scene without exchanging information with other motorists will only make matters worse, Gentry said.

Klokow was pedaling near State Route 163 about 6 a.m. Tuesday when a vehicle hit him from behind at high speed. The motorist kept driving, leaving the Iraq War veteran dying in the roadway, according to investigators.

About four hours later, a motorcycle officer investigating the crash spotted Cifuentes' minivan traveling along Kearny Villa Road, about a quarter-mile from the scene of the fatality, authorities said.

Police pulled Cifuentes over, took him into custody and impounded the vehicle, which had a smashed windshield and crumpled hood.

Cifuentes initially said his vehicle had been damaged by lumber that fell out of a truck in front of him as he drove near the intersection of Interstate 805 and State Route 52, police said.

Police said they found no corroboration for that story, but released him pending the results of forensic tests on the minivan and a lie-detector exam.

At the time of his death, Klokow was on his way to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he commanded a company that trains military instructors.

If he can post bail, he is gone. Fled the scene of a deadly hit and run and then set bail at $75,000. Gee that doesn't seem like a flight risk

Served in a war zone to be killed by invader crossing the US border.