In March, 2014, an Alamo man, Dan Taylor, 72, of Alamo was struck and killed as he rode his bicycle along Putah Creek Road near Winters.
On September 10, the California Highway Patrol announced they have identified a Winters resident as a suspect in the accidental death. CHP Officer Christopher Parker announced that Adrianna Melendez, 23, “took measures to conceal the fatal traffic collision and left her home in Winters two days after the March 26 accident.” Therefore, the CHP has issued a warrant for Melendez’s arrest.
Taylor was a member of the Benicia Bike Club and a retired Air Force colonel. Just prior to his death, he was riding along a stretch of Putah Creek Road that traverses orchards east of Interstate 505. Investigators said they believe Taylor was traveling east on the two lane road alone. He was hit by a westbound vehicle that had crossed the lane divider at a speed of 55 to 60 mph. Investigators did not disclose an estimate of the speed at which Taylor was traveling at the moment of impact.
The head-on collision launched Taylor over the vehicle. He landed in soil among rows of orchard trees. The CHP reported that he was pronounced dead of multiple head and internal injuries. The vehicle that hit him left Putah Creek Road and almost hit a tree. It then returned to the road and headed west again toward Winters.
CHP has described Melendez as a Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands about 5-foot-3 and weighs approximately 256 pounds. Anyone with knowledge of her current location is asked to call the Solano CHP office at 707-428-2100.
Taylor was an avid cyclist and top national competitor. He was a father and grandfather and finished second in the time trial National Championships in Bend, Oregon, in September 2013.
