The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office has opted to prosecute an 18-year-old Paso Robles man who was the driver in a November collision that killed one bicyclist and severely injured another.
Joseph Mondo struck the two bicyclists while reaching to pick up his cell phone from the floor of his SUV, according to the CHP. Just prior to the crash, he allegedly swerved off the road to avoid hitting a vehicle while trying an initial time to pick up the phone.
Los Angeles resident Lee Heykung Craig, 62, died in the collision. Seal Beach resident Lawrence Chong, 59, survived after receiving treatment in the hospital for his injuries.
Mondo only faces a single misdemeanor charge. Prosecutors charged him with vehicular manslaughter.
The crash occurred on Nov. 28 on Nacimiento Lake Drive near Adelaide Road. Mondo is scheduled to appear in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Feb. 11.
