Prosecutors concluded that a Carroll County sheriff?s deputy who struck and killed a cyclist last month with his cruiser should not face charges, police said Tuesday.
“There were several contributing factors [to the Sept. 19 wreck],” said Capt. Randy Barnes, a Westminster police spokesman. “[Cyclist Mario Garcia-Salgado] was wearing dark clothing, there was no lighting [or reflective gear] on his bicycle, which is required [for night riding], and that particular area was poorly lit.”
Garcia-Salgado, 22, of Westminster, crossed Route 140 near Westminster TownMall in the middle of the highway instead of at an intersection with traffic lights, an investigation by Westminster and Maryland State police revealed.
Kathleen Beasley, 20, of Westminster, also told police that she nearly struck Garcia-Salgado right before he collided with a cruiser driven by Cpl. Carlos Bustos, who had sped up to 60 mph in a 45-mph zone to pull over a speeding motorist.
“She came within 10 feet of striking him and had to slam on her brakes to miss him,” Barnes said.
The Howard County State?s Attorney?s Office conducted an independent review ? to avoid a conflict of interest ? to determine whether Bustos was in the wrong.
Prosecutors recommended Monday that no charges be brought against Bustos, who returned to work Sept. 24, said Lt. Phil Kasten, a sheriff?s office spokesman.
“It is the opinion of the accident reconstructionist that the cause of the accident is driver error on the part of the bicyclist,” said Westminster police.
Bustos, a five-year veteran of the sheriff?s office, was treated at Carroll Hospital Center for cuts to his left arm and hand.
“This is tragic,” Barnes said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”
