A 62-year-old parolee was arrested Tuesday after authorities said he fatally struck a Kaiser Permanente employee in a hit-and-run crash while fleeing a police stop in Riverside.
Peter Mullis was hit shortly before noon Monday at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Park Sierra Drive, near Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center, according to police. Riverside police said Mullis was in a marked crosswalk when he was struck.
Police confirmed Mullis worked at Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center.
Officers took Gene Amos Cunningham of Riverside into custody in connection with the crash. He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of murder and felony hit-and-run resulting in death, according to police. He is being held without bail.
Police said the incident began when officers attempted to stop Cunningham near Magnolia and La Sierra avenues.
“The driver initially yielded but fled as officers approached the vehicle on foot. The suspect traveled eastbound on Magnolia Avenue at a high rate of speed,” police said. “As the suspect entered the intersection at Park Sierra Avenue, he struck a pedestrian who was crossing in a marked crosswalk.”
Police said Cunningham had two outstanding felony warrants and was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities also said he has prior convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.
Following the crash, loved ones created a GoFundMe campaign to support Mullis’ family.
The GoFundMe page stated that Mullis and his wife Layla were in the process of going through IVF at the time of the incident.
“Peter and Layla shared a beautiful dream of growing their family together and were in the midst of their IVF journey when their lives were forever changed. In addition to helping with funeral expenses and everyday financial burdens, donations will also help Layla continue the IVF journey that Peter so deeply hoped and prayed would one day make them parents. Supporting Layla in fulfilling that dream is one way we can help carry forward the future they envisioned together,” the page read.