Tulsa World: Illegal immigrant held in death of Tulsa cyclist

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Illegal immigrant held in death of Tulsa cyclist

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and other officials investigate a fatal collision with a bicyclist at 17th Street near Southwest Boulevard on Tuesday. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
Published: 9/2/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 9/2/2009 5:05 AM

State troopers arrested an illegal immigrant Tuesday in the hit-and-run death of a longtime bicyclist and clinical psychologist, authorities said.

Roberto Salvador Alvelais-Torres, 28, is accused of striking Beverly Jean Duffield, 74, of Tulsa with a sport utility vehicle and then driving away, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown said.

Duffield was killed Tuesday morning while riding her bicycle near U.S. 75 and the 1700 block of Southwest Boulevard — an area where she was known to ride frequently.

Cherie White, a longtime friend who was at Duffield's home Tuesday evening, said it was not the first time Duffield had been struck by a vehicle while riding a bike.

About five or six years ago, she was hit while riding on 41st West Avenue. She suffered a head injury and bore an extensive scar on her right thigh from that crash, White said.

"She was always trying to educate cyclists about cycling and being aware of their surroundings and being safe," White added.

She said Duffield had just called her husband, Jack Duffield, about five minutes before she was struck Tuesday morning to tell him that she was getting ready to start her ride.

"Ever since the first accident, she wanted to call him and tell him when she started and when she was done to let him know she was OK," White said.

Brown said a witness told troopers that a

Chevrolet Suburban hit Duffield when both were heading south at the B and R Service Road and 17th Street near Southwest Boulevard.

Medics who responded about 7:20 a.m. pronounced Duffield dead at the scene with massive traumatic injuries, EMSA spokeswoman Tina Wells said.

The vehicle that struck her had fled the scene. Brown said troopers who were investigating the hit and run found at 31st Street and Southwest Boulevard the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban that they believe Alvelais-Torres was driving.

After finding the vehicle, they were led to Alvelais-Torres, who was arrested about 2:30 p.m. on complaints of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, failure to stop at the scene of a fatal accident, failure to stop at a stop sign, operating a vehicle without a driver's license and not having insurance, according to an arrest report.

Brown said Alvelais-Torres is an illegal immigrant who has been living in Tulsa.

Duffield was born in Cassville, Mo., but had lived in Tulsa for 55 years. She attended the University of Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma and was a clinical psychologist.

Jack Duffield had put her through school with income from his business, Duffield Plumbing, from which he retired about 20 years ago, White said.

The couple has a daughter, Regenia Bean, White said.

"She always loved Tulsa so much" White said of Duffield. "She was well recognized throughout the community and always strived for people to get politically involved whether they were Democrats or Republicans."

Michael Brose, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Tulsa, said that "Beverly has been an incredible human being and professional clinician in this community for many, many years and has served many families and individuals.

"It is an incredible loss to the community and, I know, the entire mental health community."

Todd Swain, manager of Bicycles of Tulsa, said he had known Duffield about 13 years. He said she frequently rode in the area where she was hit.

"She was an awesome lady, full of life. She was a firecracker," Swain said.

Adam Vanderburg, who owns Lee's Bicycles and the Trek Bicycle Store, said she was a longtime customer.

"Cycling was in her blood," he said. "I think it was kind of her own therapy."

Malcolm McCollam, an attorney and member of the Tulsa Wheelmen bicyclists association, said he often saw Duffield riding and that she usually rode alone.

McCollam said it is unusual that the cycling community in Tulsa would suffer a loss so soon after another recent tragedy.

Three area bicyclists were hit from behind on the shoulder of Oklahoma 51 near 165th West Avenue west of Sand Springs on June 9.

Christa Voss, 33, of Owasso and Matthew Edmonds, 34, of Tulsa were killed in that crash. The third bicyclist, John Moore of Broken Arrow, survived.

Tausha Borland of Sand Springs is charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter plus two other counts — leaving the scene of a fatal accident and DUI involving a personal injury. She is free on bond and awaits an Oct. 26 preliminary hearing.

Customers were coming by Vanderburg's stores throughout the day Tuesday, talking about the loss of another cyclist to a traffic accident.

"People are still absorbing it. Everyone feels like they have been kicked in the gut again," Vanderburg said.

World staff writer Althea Peterson and World photographer Stephen Pingry contributed to this story.

Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Arrest made in fatal bicycle crash," which was published on 9/1/2009.

	Report Comment orly, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:24:33 AM) This is so sad...prayers to her family and friends
	Report Comment Ryanoceros, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:27:17 AM) "There is no information available yet on the cause of the accident." It's called a hit-and-run, anybody get a vehicle description? This is horrible.
	Report Comment Graybeard, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:28:12 AM) An apparent hit and run? Oh, my God! I hope the coward that hit her turns him/herself into the police. Poor woman, I pray she didn't suffer, and the D.A. prosecutes the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law. Condolences to friends and family.
	Report Comment happy8003104b, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:36:44 AM) Slow down everyone. Any number of things could have happened. Let's get the facts before we start calling people cowards.
	Report Comment JLB, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:37:17 AM) Why is it an apparent hit and run Graybeard? It's been on the TV all morning that witnesses saw a light colored suburban hit this lady and then leave the scene. That IS a hit and run. They even have released a brief description that he is maybe in his 30's and has short hair or is balding. Of course, I guess they couldn't tell if he was white, black, hispanic or whatever.
	Report Comment Eric, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:39:27 AM) ... "A bicyclist was killed..." To me, this suggests that the cyclist was hit by something or someone. Otherwise, if that isn't the case, it should have read "A bicyclist died..." or "found dead". ... This stretch of road is W-I-D-E enough to allow trucks to safely pass a bicyclist. If someone did hit her and is not coming forward, then a pox on them and their family. ... Prayers to the family & friends of this victim. ... .. .
	Report Comment Graybeard, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:39:54 AM) Yakimoto: If the woman had been a pedestrian, would you want the City to fund sidewalks and enforce their usage......or ban walking? What the heck is wrong with you? People bicycle for fun, exercise, and transportation all over the world...she might have been commuting to and from work. What a heartless, selfish comment to make. Shame on you.
	Report Comment Verbal Kint, BA (9/1/2009 8:44:06 AM) Why is it bicycles need to get off the streets? Is there a reason other than the obvious one of ignorant drivers that are too important to recognize bicyclists legal right of way?
	Report Comment imahick, tulsa (9/1/2009 8:49:49 AM) it wasn't an APPARENT hit and run.... IT WAS A HIT AND RUN!! my god, the driver should have called 911 and helped this poor lady out! track the wacko down and send them to the hoosegow!
	Report Comment TheFoundOgle, Mid-town (9/1/2009 8:50:14 AM) I second Graybeard's comment... Yaki, once again, you have put your foot firmly and deeply into your mouth.
	Report Comment Tulsa Kayaker, Tulsa (9/1/2009 8:53:07 AM) horrible.
	Report Comment anon74063, (9/1/2009 8:54:32 AM) This is sad, but there is a bike path not too far from where she was hit. If cyclists want to be treated like cars, they need to peddle faster.
	Report Comment Verbal Kint, BA (9/1/2009 8:55:27 AM) Agreed Radar. I wouldn't ride in Tulsa traffic (even though it is legal to do so). However, I don't see why that has to be the case. Shouldn't we all be able to co-exist and share the road? Are we all really that self important that we can't take an extra 30 seconds in our journey if it spares a life? Maybe we are...
	Report Comment Verbal Kint, BA (9/1/2009 8:56:54 AM) anon74063, (9/1/2009 8:54:32 AM) This is sad, but there is a bike path not too far from where she was hit. If cyclists want to be treated like cars, they need to peddle faster. Is there a minimum speed on Tulsa roadways that I'm not aware of? Not talking about highways, city street.
	Report Comment SraChavez, Tulsa (9/1/2009 9:01:20 AM) While many of us are careful responsible drivers it only takes one brief distraction to cause an accident. It's bad enough when it's with another vehicle, but a cyclist does not have a chance. I think bicycle lanes would be a good thing. Not to get them out of my way, but for their safety. My son rides daily and my biggest concern is that he will get hit. T's & P's to the family and friends of this woman.
	Report Comment shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (9/1/2009 9:02:34 AM) Alot of bikers use the 17th street route that the lady was hit on their way out to the Chandler Park area. She has probably been that way many times and no doubt has had some close calls. I hope they catch the guy that was responsible for this. He probably works in the area and will be found soon.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/1/2009 9:10:16 AM) This is so sad. Can you imagine what the person who saw this as it happened is going through? My thoughts and prayers to all involved.
	Report Comment okie.girl, Tulsa (9/1/2009 9:10:50 AM) Bicycling is a dangerous sport along with motorcycle and car racing, rock climbing, surfing, skiing, etc. Each bicyclist knows the dangers that face them but their love of the sport minimizes these thoughts and they continue to get on the streets. We wish they would ride on trails but trails arent everywhere and there are walkers and runners and children on these trails which prohibit them from the high speeds they wish to travel. Occasionaly and not often, car vs bicyclist happens and we know who usually wins. We can argue all we want about whose fault it is...but in reality it's a dangerous consequence of the sport.
	Report Comment SraChavez, Tulsa (9/1/2009 9:21:36 AM) Radar: I am in no way condoning the hit and run part of this accident. I was only tossing out MHO on bike lanes. I'm sure no one here has any sympathy for the driver leaving the scene. News this morning said a light colored suburban. TW says it was a brown suburban. I wonder which one is right.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (9/1/2009 9:26:22 AM) They will never find out who did this, that's what is the saddest part.
	Report Comment psychedelikrelik, Tulsa (9/1/2009 9:32:55 AM) It never ceases to amaze me that some folks are blaming the victim. Bicycles are vehicles with the same rights to the road as those with motors. I'm afraid you're right, lucky girl. Very sad.
	Report Comment shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (9/1/2009 9:33:03 AM) Yaki....should there be a motorcycle only lane also or should they be removed from the roads as well?
	Report Comment Chautauqua, (9/1/2009 9:33:30 AM) Tulsa needs bike lanes. Period. All of these...selfish, there is no other word for it... people who oppose bike lanes, how many people have to die before we decide that we need them?
	Report Comment uklynbereg, (9/1/2009 9:38:24 AM) It's going to be interesting to see if the hit-and-run driver was using a cell phone.
	Report Comment Twilight in Paris, near the water in SE OK (9/1/2009 9:40:06 AM) Personally I don't feel safe riding a bike ANYWHERE near cars, but some don't have a choice. If you are driving with bikes; SLOW DOWN, OPEN YOUR EYES, PUT DOWN THE COFFEE, PUT DOWN THE CELL PHONE, HAVE RESPECT FOR THE RULES OF THE ROAD my thoughts are with the family at this tragic moment.

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