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Alleged killer struck Sunnyvale resident

A man accused of intentionally running over two pedestrians two weeks ago in Campbell--killing one and putting the other in critical condition--allegedly hit a Sunnyvale bicyclist last month.

Bryan Christopher Vaca, 29, struck the back tire of a bicyclist traveling on De Anza Boulevard and Homestead Road, just past the Sunnyvale border, in April, police say. Dave Billingsley of Sunnyvale told police the truck hit him, destroying the bike and knocking him to the ground. Billingsley was not seriously hurt.

Cupertino Sheriff's deputies cited Vaca for speeding and driving in the bike lane. Vaca was not arrested because there was no indication he intentionally hit Billingsley, Sgt. Mike VanLeiden said.

"We handled it like it was an accident," VanLeiden said. "There was no reason for us to hold him. If there had been any indication that it was a deliberate act, then we would be prosecuting him, too."

The case involving Billingsley was forwarded to the investigator handling the case in Campbell, VanLeiden said.

Vaca, who suffers from schizophrenia, told investigators that he heard voices or spirits that instructed him to run over the pedestrians in Campbell.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, May 28, 1997.
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