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Young driver charged with manslaughter following fatal accident 

Update Jan. 28, 2015:

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office announced today it is charging Joseph Mondo, 18, of Paso Robles with vehicular manslaughter. The charge stems from an accident that occurred on Nov. 28 on Nacimiento Lake Road west of Paso Robles. Mondo allegedly struck and killed bicyclist Lee Hekyung Craig of Los Angeles, and severely injured another bicyclist, Lawrence Chong of Seal Beach.

The vehicular manslaughter charge is a misdemeanor, Penal Code section 192(c)(2). Mondo is due to appear for arraignment on Feb. 11.

Original report Dec. 1, 2014:

CHP identifies driver and victims in deadly bicycle accident

Accident

The vicinity of a vehicle vs. bicycle accident Friday afternoon. Image from Google Maps.

The California Highway Patrol identified the parties involved in a fatal vehicle vs. bicycle accident Friday afternoon.

Lee Hekyung Craig, 62, of Los Angeles died after being hit on her Cervelo bicycle by a 2005 GMC Yukon driven by Joseph A. Mondo, 18, of Paso Robles, the report says. A second rider, Lawrence Paul Chong, 59, of Seal Beach, was also struck in the accident while riding a Trek bicycle. He was taken to the hospital with major injuries.

The accident occurred at about 3:10 p.m. Friday on Nacimiento Lake Drive just east of Adelaida Road. Mondo was traveling westbound. He was distracted when his cell phone slid off his lap and he attempted to retrieve it, the report says. But before he was able to get it, he was forced to take evasive action to avoid a stopped vehicle preparing to make a left turn into a private driveway. Mondo steered on to the right shoulder around the turning vehicle and again attempted to retrieve his cell phone. As he reached for it, the Yukon veered onto the shoulder and struck the two bicyclists, the report says.

Craig was pronounced deceased at the scene. Chong was taken to Sierra Vista Hospital. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be a contributing factor, the report says.

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.