KOMO Seattle: Police: 1 of 2 suspected in knocking over bicyclist arrested
By KOMO Staff Published: Jul 20, 2011 at 2:11 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 21, 2011 at 7:28 AM PDT
TACOMA, Wash. — One of two 20-year-old men wanted in the assault of a cyclist on July 2 has been arrested, Pierce County sheriff’s deputies said Wednesday.
Kyle Baker is being held in a local jail, while deputies are still searching for Corey Romero.
The victim, 71-year-old Ron Wingerson, told KOMO News he was riding his bicycle in South Prairie when he was knocked off his bike and left for dead.
As Wingerson rode his bike down hill, witnesses say a car full of teens pulled alongside him, leaned out their window and knocked the man off his bicycle. Wingerson, who was training for a race, slammed into the back of the car.
Corey Romero “They could have killed me. It wouldn’t have taken much,” he said on July 7 as he was recovering in the hospital.
The crash left him with six cracked ribs and a fractured pelvis.
Wingerson faces nearly six weeks recovery, which won’t give him enough time to train for his upcoming race. It turns out healing isn’t as easy as getting back on a bike. He’s not sure he’ll ever ride again.
“Well, it’s kind of scary. Wouldn’t want this to happen twice,” he said.
Romero has a prior conviction for unlawful imprisonment and several domestic violence convictions.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
