OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) – A 24-year-old woman was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Oceanside last week that left a bicyclist dead, police announced Friday.
Oceanside Police officials said Bailey Tennery was arrested at her Oceanside home just before 7:30 a.m. Friday by the department’s Major Accident Investigation Team.
The department also recovered Tennery’s black 2014 Nissan Versa Note.
Oceanside Police are crediting a transient person with making this arrest. They had said car parts left at the scene likely point to a black, 2014-to-2016 Nissan Versa Note hatchback, and a transient person recognized that car at the suspect's home then reported the information to police, ultimately leading to the arrest.
Tennery, who is charged with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run resulting in death, is being held at the Vista Detention Facility on $150,000 bail, police said.
The family of 27-year-old Jackson Williams told ABC 10News that he was riding his bicycle on Oceanside Boulevard on the evening of July 15 when he was hit from behind by a car. That vehicle then left the scene, according to police.
Williams, a Carlsbad resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Williams’ stepfather Dean Mausolf said, “He was kind. We just hope other people will honor him in the same way …. and be that way for others. Besides the investigation, it’s about honoring him and remembering him in the best way.”
Sabrina Williams, the victim’s mother, added, “He wanted to help the struggling. He wanted people to experience life in a good way. He was a very free spirit, generous, a loving heart, loved to laugh. He loved to cook and made his own wine. Just lived life.”
They say the news of an arrest brings many emotions, including thankfulness to the police and community for finding answers.
"It won’t bring him back, I know that and I understand that but for some reason it just feels like, it validates his life," said Sabrina.
The couple added that this is one step closer toward finding justice for Jackson, and they hope the suspect is held accountable.
"It does matter, justice does matter for Jackson and an arrest and conviction. It matters because that’s who we are as a civilization and things we have to take responsibility for our actions and perhaps this would prevent somebody else from doing something that led to this one, whatever that is. So it is important. Ultimately it's about Jackson," said Dean.
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