Citizens assist in arrest
of San Francisco cyclist hit-and-run suspect

By Tamara Barak

June 18, 2007

Courageous citizens are to thank for an Emeryville man's arrest in a Sunday night hit-and run in San Francisco that injured two people, authorities reported today.

The incident began at 11 p.m. at the corner of Market and Octavia streets, said San Francisco police Sgt. Steve Mannina.

Giorgos Vassiliades, 36, of Emeryville, was driving his 2005 Ford Focus eastbound on Market Street when he allegedly made an illegal right turn onto an onramp that connects to southbound U.S. Highway 101 and eastbound Interstate Highway 80.

As Vassiliades made the turn, he struck a cyclist riding eastbound on Market Street, police said. The cyclist suffered minor injuries.

Vassiliades pulled onto a nearby highway island where a witness ran up to his driver's side window, according to police.

"At some point (Vassiliades) decides he's going to leave. The witness grabs the steering wheel and tries to make him stop," Mannina said.

The two men struggled for control of the moving car, which eventually rolled over on its left side and pinned the witness' legs underneath it, Mannina said.

Other citizens ran to the man's aid, and were able to right the vehicle, freeing him. The witness suffered minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Vassiliades had sped off toward the Bay Bridge, Mannina said. A motorist followed him across the Bay, while on the phone with a 911 operator.

Vassiliades was arrested by Emeryville police and is facing one count of felony hit-and-run, Mannina said. He was booked into San Francisco County Jail.

In January, a cyclist was critically injured by a pickup truck carrying cement that made an illegal right turn in the same location. The cyclist has since recovered from her injuries.

Plastic spikes were installed in the intersection to deter motorists making illegal right turns, along with stepped up enforcement and more visible signage.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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