Illegal alien pleads guilty in cyclist's death

By Dana Littlefield Union-Tribune Staff Writer
12:02 p.m. May 6, 2009

SAN DIEGO — A Mexican man convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter for running over a man on a bike in Mira Mesa and dragging the body more than 500 feet was placed on three years' probation Wednesday.

In addition to manslaughter, Marcos Garcia Jeronimo, 23, also pleaded guilty April 8 to hit-and-run causing death, in connection with the Aug. 20 death of Marcelo Bolom.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Melinda Lasater also ordered Jeronimo to spend a year in county jail, but she acknowledged he has credit for more than 380 days and is expected to be released immediately.

Jeronimo – who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico – had been living in the United States illegally and is likely to be deported. If he comes back across the international border while on probation, he could be sent to prison.

Jeronimo was charged last year in the death of Bolom, 23, of San Diego.
According to earlier testimony, Bolom was riding a bicycle when he stopped in front of Jeronimo's Dodge Neon in a parking lot on Capricorn Way.

Jeronimo hit Bolom with the car, dragging him 543 feet. Eventually, Jeronimo stopped driving and ran off, leaving the body pinned under the vehicle. He turned himself in to police a few days later.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Ojeil said Jeronimo had an ongoing feud with Bolom. A woman who had been in a relationship with Jeronimo's brother testified that she had a romantic affair with Bolom.

Deputy Public Defender Terry Zimmerman said her client was afraid of Bolom, who had been drinking and acting aggressively the day of the incident.

According to court documents, Jeronimo told authorities he believed Bolom was reaching for a gun when he stopped in front of the car and placed his right hand behind his back. Jeronimo said he struck the victim with the car, but believed he fell over to one side.

Jeronimo said he kept driving, mistakenly thinking he had run over the bicycle.

Dana Littlefield: (619) 542-4590;

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