Bernard Piotrowski, a 50-year-old La Mesa man, was killed March 20 while walking on the sidewalk in the 6900 block of University Avenue. Piotrowski died when a car traveling between 80-100 mph jumped the curb and struck the pedestrian.

Fire department officials arriving on scene found Piotrowski with severe injuries, including a severed arm from where the vehicle’s side mirror had struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The vehicle that hit Piotrowski was a black Acura sedan. After striking him, the driver, Keith Johnson, 27, lost further control and careened across the road to collide with a church. Two people were inside the church at the time of the accident but were not injured.

Johnson was uninjured and fled the scene on foot, but was captured by La Mesa police a few blocks away. The accident took place on the border of San Diego and La Mesa. Johnson hit Piotrowski in San Diego and collided with the church in La Mesa. Officers from both cities responded.

“[Johnson] was detained by La Mesa Police within 30 minutes of the crash,” said San Diego police Sgt. Jeff Fellows. “We ended up with him because he was positively identified by three curbside witnesses, and because the initial crash where the pedestrian was struck and killed was in San Diego.”

Police believe that Johnson’s vehicle was involved in another hit and run earlier that same day.

Piotrowski was an active member of the community and known for his work with many GLBT organizations. He was a volunteer for Mama’s Kitchen, active in his church and a member of Front Runners & Walkers San Diego, a running and walking club for lesbians and gay men.

Johnson pled not guilty to charges of manslaughter and hit and run. He told witnesses at the scene of the crime that he was being chased and was trying to get away from someone.

“There is some credence to him fearing some fellow gang members, but there is no evidence that a vehicle was pursuing him at the time of the collision,” Sgt. Fellows said.

According to prosecutors, Johnson is jobless and a known gang member.

“He was wanted by homicide at the time,” Sgt. Fellows said. “Apparently he was at the scene of a gang-related homicide 30 days prior to that. It’s common for gang members to be chasing each other; they’re always looking over their shoulder. But no witnesses saw any vehicles chasing after him.”