Rancho Bernardo hit-and-run driver facing two felony charges

By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

The driver whose SUV allegedly rear-ended a motorcycle in Rancho Bernardo on Sunday afternoon is facing two felony charges that could become three felonies if the motorcyclist  dies, police said.

Jessica Bloom, 21, was arrested at her apartment on the 11200 block of Paseo Montanoso in Rancho Bernardo shortly after the 12:32 p.m. Sunday accident near the Bernardo Center Drive and West Bernardo Drive intersection, according to San Diego Police Traffic Division’s incident log.

Bloom, driving a white Chevy Blazer, was reportedly traveling eastbound on the 16100 block of Bernardo Center Drive when the SUV allegedly accelerated and rear-ended a motorcycle driven by David Smith, a 35-year-old Marine, according to police.

The motorcycle was pushed into the intersection and Smith was thrown from it, according to the report.  Bloom left the scene after stopping and getting out of her vehicle, according to the report, which noted there  were witnesses.

Smith was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido with major head trauma and a lacerated liver and spleen. Traffic Det. Dan Wall said Monday afternoon the victim was listed in “grave” condition due to his head injury.

For now, Bloom could be charged with felony hit and run and felony driving while intoxicated (alcohol). “If he dies, it’s vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence,” Wall said.

Her quick arrest was due to witnesses who followed Bloom from the accident scene, Wall said. “I’m proud of them,” he added.

“People who watched the accident followed to her apartment and waited for police to arrive and take her into custody,” Wall said. “I wish everybody would do it. It helps us out a heck of a lot.”

While appreciative of the assistance, Wall added civilians need to make their safety first priority.

“Don’t put yourself in jeopardy or peril by driving 100 miles per hour (to follow someone),” he said. “In this case, they kept a reasonable distance and did not put themselves in jeopardy. That’s fine.”

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Posted by Elizabeth Marie Himchak on Aug 1 2011. Filed under Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Bernardo/4S Ranch (Click here for more stories). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry