Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Hit-and-Run Death of Encino Bicyclist

A motorist accused of hitting an Encino bicyclist in Leucadia, then leaving the scene, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of hit-and-run causing death, City News Service reported.

Joseph Ricardo Fernandez, 46, was held on $100,000 bail in connection with the April 10 death of 47-year-old James Swarzman of Encino.

Swarzman was struck from behind about 1 a.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of North Coast Highway 101, said sheriff's Sgt. Mark O'Connor. The driver did not stop, and Swarzman died several hours later at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.

Fernandez, of Carlsbad, came forward the following day to report that he believed he might have been involved in the accident, O'Connor said.

Detectives inspected Fernandez’s Dodge Ram 1500, which matched descriptions—including front-end damage—of the northbound vehicle that struck Swarzman, and he was arrested, O'Connor said.

No charges were filed and Fernandez was released from custody pending further investigation. He was re-arrested Monday.

Fernandez faces up to four years in prison if convicted. He will be back in court May 5 for a readiness conference and May 10 for a preliminary hearing.

City News Service contributed to this report.