Bicyclist killed, suspect says he thought he hit a deer

A 22-year-old man was struck and killed by a vehicle on Bellevue Rd near Utah St.

CHP responded to the area around 7:58 p.m. for a vehicle vs bicyclist. The suspect left the scene before CHP arrived.

The male victim died from his injuries, CHP say.

At approximately 11:30 pm,  the suspect, Michael Harris (64, Santa Paula), called authorities and advised he was involved in a collision and thought he hit a deer, according to CHP.

Officers spoke with Mr. Harris by telephone and determined Harris was in the Bakersfield Area.  Bakersfield CHP made contact with Harris and determined that his vehicle had been involved in a major collision.

Harris was transported to Merced by CHP to be booked for felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.