A hit-and-run collision killed a woman riding her bike Tuesday morning in west Tulsa. Tuesday afternoon, troopers found the vehicle they believed was involved in the accident and arrested the driver.
Troopers recovered the Chevrolet Suburban and arrested Roberto Salvador Alvelais-Torres, an undocumented Hispanic male that troopers believe was driving around 2:30 p.m. near 31st St. and Southwest Blvd. He has been booked in the Tulsa County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a fatal collision. The alleged driver faces possible manslaughter charges.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers identified the victim as 74-year-old Beverly Duffield. Troopers say she was riding her bicycle when she was hit by a newer-model brown Suburban on BNR Road, which runs parallel to I-244 at the 17th Street exit.
Investigators say she just started her morning ride because her car was parked nearby, and she just made a cell phone call to her home minutes before the accident happened.
The accident happened between 7:00 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. Tuesday. Witnesses say Torres drove south on BNR Road after hitting Duffield. Investigators say Torres just exited I-244.
Officials said pieces of a broken headlight were found on the ground at the scene.
Anyone with information about the collision is encouraged to call the Oklahoma Highway Patrol at *55.
"We want as many people to know about this as possible, and in cases like this, we do rely on the public to call in and sometimes that's all it takes, is one call to give us a fresh clue," said Lt. George Brown with OHP.
