by Steven Felschundneff | steven@claremont-courier.com

A cyclist was killed Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Mills Avenue in Claremont.

A female Claremont resident was riding her bicycle north on Mills near Rockford Drive just before 9 a.m. when a vehicle traveling south on Mills attempted to overtake another car. The driver, Cheryl Becker, 38, of Claremont lost control and skidded across the street, striking the cyclist. Speeding may also have been a factor, but the incident is still under investigation.

Police officers and a Los Angeles County fire crew arrived at the scene to find the cyclist lying on the sidewalk. She was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries.

Ms. Becker was arrested on vehicular manslaughter charges. She was also charged with child endangerment because her middle school and high school age children were in the vehicle.

Claremont Police Sergeant Robert Ewing said there has been an increase in unsafe driving, including speeding, in this stretch of Mills between Base Line Road and Foothill Boulevard. He cautioned that it only takes a second of inattention for a serious crash to occur and motorists need to drive more safely.