Suspect Arrested for Felony Hit and Run
Oceanside CA— On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at approximately 9:45pm, the Oceanside Police Department responded to calls of a single vehicle collision in the 3500 Block of Mission Ave. The collision occurred when a 2000 Toyota Echo, traveling westbound on Mission Ave. collided with the center raised median for an unknown reason. The collision caused the vehicle to flip over several times and the vehicle came to rest in the east bound bike lane of Mission Ave. Officers and Paramedics arrived to find the male driver had sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.
The following day, investigating officers found that another vehicle was involved causing the collision that led to the death of 22 Year old Rufus Lucas of Oceanside. 29-year-old Rijal St. Michel was arrested on August 5th for felony hit and run.
St. Michel was driving a 1995 Toyota Camry and was eastbound on Mission Ave when he made a U-Turn to westbound Mission Ave in the 3500 block.
As he made a U-Turn, he collided with Mr. Lucas causing Mr. Lucas to lose control of his vehicle and roll violently until the vehicle came to a rest in the eastbound lanes. St. Michel pulled over for a short time then left the scene prior to police arrival.
The investigation is still ongoing and it is still unknown if alcohol was a factor in the collision.
The Oceanside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team conducted the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to call Accident Investigator Clint Bussey at (760) 435-4412.