Driver Convicted in Cyclist's Death

A Carlsbad man faces four years behind bars for striking and killing a cyclist in Encinitas three months ago.

Joseph Ricardo Fernandez, 46, was convicted Tuesday in the death of James Steven Swarzman of Encino who was killed while riding with a small group of bicyclists around 1 a.m. on April 10.

Swarzman, 71, an avid cyclist, was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla via Mercy Air and was pronounced dead three hours after the accident.

Fernandez turned himself in to officials the next day and was arrested on felony hit-and-run charges.

A witness following Fernandez'  truck just before the collision said the vehicle drifted between the middle of the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes before striking Swarzman from behind, deputies said.

Fernandez faces up to four years when he's sentenced Sept. 12.

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