The California Highway Patrol is investigating a hit and run outside of Turlock that killed a 27-year-old bicyclist.

The identity of the victim has not been released by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office, as they attempt to locate his next of kin. He was from Sacramento, according to the CHP.

The collision happened around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday on Fulkerth Road, east of Blaker Road.

According to the CHP, Vanessa Carrillo, 21, of Patterson was driving her 1999 Toyota west on Fulkerth at an approximate speed of 55 mph. Carillo failed to see the bicyclist riding in front of her vehicle and struck him from behind, according to the CHP.

The collision caused fatal injuries to the cyclist.

Carillo continued driving home and about an hour later she called 911 and told a dispatcher she thought she had hit a dog.

Carillo was questioned about her story and later stated that it might have been a person she hit. Eventually she confessed that she did hit someone. She told investigators that when she stopped in the middle of the road and looked in her rear view mirror, she saw the crumpled form of a person.

An arrest has not been made in the case, but the CHP is investigating it as a felony hit and run. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in the collision.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.