HAYWARD — A 55-year-old bicyclist killed by a hit-and-run driver last week was described by family and friends as “incredibly smart, friendly and genuine” and as a man who was loved by everyone who knew him.
And while those who knew him still mourn the death of Chris Pena, a Hayward resident, police are continuing the search for the driver who hit him.
Police said the fatal collision happened about 5:36 p.m. Sept. 6 at the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Orchard Avenue.
Pena was hit by what police believe is a gray, early- to mid-2000s model Mercedes with silver colored five-spoke rims. The car fled the scene at a high rate of speed and likely had major front-end passenger side damage. The driver was believed to be the sole occupant but a detailed description of the person has not been released.
Pena died later in the day at a hospital.
The death is Hayward’s seventh fatal traffic collision of the year.
A GoFundMe account for Pena had raised more than $33, by Monday afternoon. The account’s organizer, family friend Derrick Lobo, wrote that Pena is survived by his wife of 23 years, a daughter who turned 21 the day before he was killed, another daughter aged 19 and a son, 16.
The oldest daughter attends UC Berkeley, the youngest UC Davis and the son is a Hayward High School junior, according to Lobo, who wrote that everyone who knew Pena is “devastated from his senseless death.”
The GoFundMe account was organized to help pay for Pena’s funeral expenses and also to help with his children’s educational needs.
“I remember how excited Chris was when his girls got into UC Berkeley and UC Davis,” Lobo wrote. “Education was everything to him and I know without a doubt that he would want his kids to finish college and get those degrees.”
The fundraiser has already surpassed its initial goal of $30,000, but it will remain open in order to spread the story of Pena’s death in the hopes of leading investigators to a suspect.
Anyone with information about driver or the vehicle or who might have video footage of the collision is asked to call police at 510-293-7169.
Source: www.mercurynews.com