Chief Counsel for UC Berkeley, CA, Victim of Fatal Bike Crash
Guerneville, Ca ( August 27th 2017) – Christopher Patti an avid cyclist from Berkeley, Ca, was struck and killed when the driver of a BMW lost control of his vehicle on CA 116 in Guerneville. According to witnesses the driver was taking a curve at too fast a speed and lost control, slid across two lanes hitting Mr. Patti and a guard rail. The driver of the BMW then fled the scene and later abandoned the car near Rio Nido. The CHP later identified the driver of the BMW as 28 year old Jonathan Ritter.
Before the incident Mr. Patti had pulled to the shoulder of the road to check his cell phone according to witnesses. Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman stated that Patti had been wearing a helmet and had all the correct safety gear, including lights and reflectors.
The initial impact of the accident had lifted Mr. Patti onto the trunk of the BMW and into the rear window breaking it. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Patti worked as UC Berkeley’s chief counsel since 2010 and had an extensive complex litigation career at the University of California’s office of the president for 20 years.
We offer our condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends.
