Crime & Safety

No Charges Filed for Suspect in Fatal Leucadia Hit-and-Run

According to authorities, Joseph Ricardo Fernandez of Carlsbad should be released from jail as investigation of the case continues.

No charges were filed today against a man arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist in Leucadia.

James Steven Swarzman, 47, of Encino, was struck from behind about 1 a.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of North Coast Highway 101, said sheriff's Sgt. Mark O'Connor. The driver did not stop, and Swarzman died several hours later at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.

Joseph Ricardo Fernandez, 46, of Carlsbad, came forward on Monday to report that he believed he might have been involved in the accident, O'Connor said.

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Detectives inspected Fernandez’s Dodge Ram 1500, which matched descriptions—including front-end damage—of the northbound vehicle that struck Swarzman, and he was arrested, O'Connor said.

District Attorney spokesman Steve Walker said investigators continue to review the case, but that Fernandez should be released from jail as the investigation continues.

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City News Service contributed to this report.


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