Mira Mesa man pleads not guilty in hit-and-run that killed cyclist (USMC Captain)

A Mira Mesa man pleaded not guilty yesterday to felony hit-and-run charges in the death of a Marine captain killed while bicycling to work last week.

Jose Luis Cifuentes, 58, also pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge during an arraignment in San Diego Superior Court. He was charged in connection with the death of Patrick Klokow, 29, of Santa Clara.

After hearing from the lawyers in the case, Judge Roger W. Krauel kept Cifuentes' bail at $75,000. Cifuentes was being held in county jail.

Deputy District Attorney William Gentry Jr. argued unsuccessfully for an increase in bail, noting that Cifuentes has relatives in Mexico and could flee. Gentry said $100,000 bail would be appropriate.

Deputy Public Defender Allen Cazares argued that Cifuentes' bail should be lower, noting that he has lived in the county for more than a decade and has no criminal record.

Cazares said Cifuentes was on his way to an appointment for dialysis the morning of the collision.

According to police, Klokow was riding his bicycle to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot when he was struck about 6 a.m. Tuesday on Kearny Villa Road near the southbound state Route 163 on-ramp. There were no witnesses.

Later the same morning, a police officer stopped a Mercury Villager minivan near where Klokow was killed and noticed it had a smashed windshield and hood damage.

The driver, Cifuentes, told police the damage occurred when his vehicle was struck by a load of lumber on state Route 52. He was released but gave permission for the minivan to be impounded and inspected.

Captain was killed in hit-run accident

By Michael Stetz
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

August 28, 2005

It was no joy ride. It was a ride to remember Patrick Klokow, the bicyclist who was killed in a hit-and-run accident Tuesday morning.

More than 100 riders took part in the ceremonial ride yesterday, and they were trying to burn off their anger and sorrow.

Those were the two most prevalent emotions.

Klokow was 29. He was a Marine. And he was an Iraq war veteran.

"He could survive Iraq, but he couldn't survive San Diego traffic," said Cassandra Killion, noting the tragic irony. "This guy spent time under fire and someone hit him and left him to die."

The bicyclists rode from Encinitas to Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. Klokow was killed near the base as he was riding on Kearny Villa Road, near the state Route 163 ramp.

Police arrested Jose Luis Cifuentes, 58, later in the week in connection with Klokow's death.

The biking community is close-knit, said riders. When they heard the news, they were stunned.

"It hits close to home. It touches you. I got this sinking feeling," said Harold Katkov, a member of the Swami's Cycling Club.

It was that group and Tri Club San Diego that organized the memorial ride. Klokow was a triathlete and belonged to the Tri Club.

Klokow's wife is a Marine (helicopter pilot) as well and another hearty athlete.

"It's heart-wrenching. They were one brave couple. They're a super couple," said Sumi Gross. She was busy snipping red ribbon into little pieces for riders to wear.

Klokow, of Santa Clara, was a captain and was stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot as the commanding officer of the instructional training company.

A Naval Academy graduate, he served in Kuwait from January through March 2003 and was then sent to Iraq, where he served until July 2003.

"Everybody's upset," said Robert "Doc" Burke, of La Jolla, a member of the Tri Club who had ridden with Klokow.

"He was a nice guy. A nice guy minding his own business."

Most bicyclists interviewed said the streets are hardly safe for bike riders these days. Traffic is worsening and many motorists are unwilling to share the road.

Most said they have had close calls.

Phil Paris, a Tri Club member, had spent Friday evening hanging out with friends who are surfers. They do dangerous stuff, he noted.

"And they all think I'm the crazy one because I ride a bike five days a week," he said.

It becomes difficult to sort the illegal aliens in these crimes from the previous amnesty "citizens". There were 3 more stories yesterday about such deaths that I did not see on FR.

Huntsville officer dies; suspect charged with capital murder
Aug 30, 2005, 08:14 AM

31-year-old Benito Albarran has been charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Huntsville Police Officer Daniel Golden. ---snip-
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=3779628&nav=0hBBdsh7

U.S. Marine Shot, Killed While Visiting Juarez, Mexico
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) - A U.S. Marine was shot and killed early Monday after an altercation with a motorist, authorities said.

The 23-year-old Marine got into a heated argument with the driver of a white sport utility vehicle who pulled out a gun and shot him, said Claudia Banuelos, a spokeswoman for state investigators in Chihuahua state, which includes Juarez.

A spokeswoman with the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, confirmed a U.S. Marine had been killed Monday. ----snip----

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp? S=3779768&nav=AbBzdsjB

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