Man Arrested After Video Showed Car Hitting Cyclists

Police announced tonight, Friday, the arrest of the alleged hit-and-run driver of a car that was videotaped Wednesday afternoon as it veered into the bike lane on Tunnel Road in Berkeley and knocked down two cyclists. The car didn't stop.

The arrested man is Michael Patrick Medaglia, 43, of Oakland, Berkeley police said. He was booked for investigation of felony hit-and-run driving, as well as possession of heroin, felon in possession of ammunition and violation of probation, according to police.

The collision was captured on a video camera mounted on the handlebar of one of the bikes. (Skip to 2:38 in the attached video to see the crash.) Neither rider suffered serious injuries.

The bicyclist had posted the video on YouTube and said he gave a copy to Berkeley police, who said earlier today they were reviewing the video and pursuing a number of leads in their investigation.

In a follow-up news release tonight, Berkeley police Capt. Andrew Greenwood said in part:

On April 25, after the hit-and-run incident, Medaglia reported to the Oakland Police Department that his vehicle had been stolen. A Berkeley Police alert was placed on the vehicle. This morning, April 27, the Oakland Police located the reportedly stolen vehicle, and advised Berkeley Police of the recovery. Berkeley Police Crime Scene Unit personnel examined the vehicle. Further investigation led officers to the Jack London Inn, 444 Embarcadero West, Oakland as a possible residence for Medaglia.

Late this afternoon, Berkeley Police officers contacted Medaglia in a room at the Jack London Inn. 

He was subsequently arrested, Greenwood said.

In comments accompanying the YouTube video, the cyclist identified as "Bruno" said, "Yesterday I went to the police department and I reported the crime. I also gave the video to the police officer." 

Because the license plate number was visible, he said, Berkeley police located both the car and the owner. "Now I'm waiting for the return of the police on the case."

In the video, Bruno and a friend make their way along Tunnel Road. Just as they approach the sign for Highway 24, a black car strikes the cyclists, knocking both men off their bikes. One crashes into the passenger side window of the car before landing. The driver moves on without pausing or slowing. Neither cyclist appears to be seriously injured.

The YouTube post drew a slew of supportive—and stunned—comments.

Both riders were wearing helmets and suffered from abrasions from their fall but did not require hospitalization, police said.

"A passerby called 9-1-1, and the riders were seen and treated by Oakland Fire," Berkeley police said in an earlier news release this afternoon. "Their clothing and bicycles were significantly damaged as a result of the collision."

The video had more than 65,000 views as of 10:35 tonight.