Merced man struck by vehicle and killed in Sunnyvale

A 24-year-old Merced man died over the weekend after he was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle on Highway 85 in the Sunnyvale area, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The name of the victim was not released by the CHP. A phone call to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office was not immediately returned Monday.

However, the man was identified as Pedro Rodriguez by the San Jose Mercury News, which first reported the incident.

The incident was reported around 2:30 a.m. Sunday on Highway 85, north of Fremont Avenue in the Sunnyvale area, CHP Officer Art Montiel told the Sun-Star on Monday.

The CHP said the man identified as Rodriguez was riding a bicycle on the highway when he was struck from behind by a 2010 Ford Fusion, driven by a 34-year-old San Jose woman.

Montiel said the Merced man had been drinking and “alcohol was a factor on his part.”

“There were no drugs and no alcohol involved on the part of the (Ford) driver,” Montiel said Monday. “It is illegal to ride a bicycle on the highway and to ride a bicycle under the influence.”

Rodriguez succumbed to his injuries at the scene, the CHP said.

The CHP said the driver of the Ford immediately pulled over following the crash and cooperated fully with investigators.

This story was originally published January 26, 2015 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Merced man struck by vehicle and killed in Sunnyvale."