Arrest Made In Deadly Hit And Run Of Tulsa Cyclist

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A 28-year-old man is arrested in a deadly hit and run crash that killed a 74-year old Tulsa bicyclist early Tuesday morning.

Roberto Alvelais-Torres was arrested Tuesday afternoon.  Torres is being held on charges of felony leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

His SUV was found at 31st and Southwest Boulevard.

Tulsa Police say he is an undocumented immigrant and is in custody and could face a manslaughter charge.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol processed the vehicle suspected of being involved with the wreck.

OHP Trooper Lt. George Brown identified the victim who was struck and killed while riding her bike as 74-year-old Beverly Duffield of Tulsa. Duffield died at the scene from massive injuries.

The accident happened between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday near the 17th street off ramp from Highway 75.

Those closest to the victim remember her as a woman who lived life to the fullest.

"You cannot lose somebody like that and your life not change," said Carolyn Brittain, a friend of Beverly.

Carolyn Brittain has been best friends with Beverly Duffield nearly all her life.

"Oh, I loved being around her because we laughed all the time," said Carolyn Brittain.

Tuesday morning, Beverly Duffield was killed while riding her bicycle. She was struck by an SUV. The driver never stopped.

"I'm sure that whoever did it did not mean to and, as dearly as I loved Bev and miss her, I don't have any animosity for the person who did this," said Carolyn Brittain.

Brittain says Duffield is an example to all. Brittain says she had a big laugh and an ear to ear smile. She was a woman who worked her way from grocery store cashier to a clinical psychologist.

"She's irreplaceable," said Carolyn Brittain.

Duffield also had a tremendous love for cycling.

"She was always laughing and smiling every time she came in here," said Todd Swain with Bicycles of Tulsa.

Todd Swain is with Bicycles of Tulsa where Duffield was a member of the Tulsa Bicycling Club.

It's been a tough three months there. In June, two other members of the club were also killed.

Christa Voss and Matt Edmonds were hit by an accused drunk driver while riding down the side of highway 51 in Sand Springs.

"Unfortunately when it's a bike versus a car, we're never going to win. Just try and be aware of bicyclists on the road because they're out there in mass numbers," said Todd Swain.

Carolyn Brittain says her best friend will forever be with her, never far from her heart, always in her memories.

"Everything that she did, she went at wholeheartedly," said Carolyn Brittain. "Oh, I miss that so much."

In addition to bicycling, Beverly Duffield was an avid surfer and lived for sometime in Hawaii. She's survived by her husband and daughter.