CHP arrests Marin County driver suspected of plowing into charity cyclists

The California Highway Patrol arrests a man suspected of plowing into four cyclists in rural Petaluma on Saturday. The California Highway Patrol arrests a man suspected of plowing into four cyclists in rural Petaluma on Saturday. Photo: CHP / California Highway Patrol Photo: CHP / California Highway Patrol Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close CHP arrests Marin County driver suspected of plowing into charity cyclists 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

A pickup truck driver who intentionally plowed into four cyclists on a charity ride Saturday along a rural Marin County road was arrested after fleeing the scene of the hit-and-run, officials said Sunday.

The suspect, Aaron Paff, 21, of Novato, was arrested shortly before midnight Saturday at a home in Novato, ending a 12-hour search for the Dodge Ram truck seen fleeing the incident southwest of Petaluma, California Highway Patrol officials said.

Paff was arrested without incident, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said, and his truck, parked in the driveway, was towed away as evidence. Paff cooperated with investigators and answered questions about the collision. He was booked into Marin County Jail on a felony charge of hit-and-run causing injury.

Several witnesses at the scene provided police with accounts of the incident, including a motorcyclist who was traveling in the opposite direction and supplied video from a GoPro camera on his helmet.

The CHP circulated photos of the truck on social media, calling on the public to help identify the driver. Almost immediately, they began receiving tips.

The crash happened along westbound lanes of Point Reyes-Petaluma Road near Hicks Valley Road just before noon Saturday, the CHP said.

The driver of the dark blue Dodge “intentionally swerved” into a pack of cyclists, hitting four riders heading in the same direction before he continued west on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road away from the scene, CHP officials said in a statement.

The four victims were part of a larger group of riders participating in the Jensie Gran Fondo charity ride to benefit the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.

Barclay identified the injured cyclists as Spencer Fast, 48, of Mill Valley; Robert Grier, 53, of Danville; Oliver Colvin, 55, of Larkspur, and Joseph Olla, 49, of Danville. Fast suffered major injuries and was taken by helicopter to a trauma center. The others suffered injuries ranging from moderate to major and were transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

Barclay said the investigation is continuing.

CHP officials thanked the public for quickly providing information.

“This was truly a team effort between law enforcement and the public and goes to show how an engaged and concerned group of people can provide vital information in this type of incident,” said Capt. Robert Mota, commander of the CHP’s Marin Area Office.

Chronicle staff writer Michael Cabanatuan contributed to this report.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky