A 24-year-old Illinois man is in custody in connection with the deaths of two motorcyclists near Janesville last weekend. Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden said Sambath Pal of Park City, Illinois was arrested on two counts of Hit and Run Causing Death and is awaiting extradition from Lake County, Illinois. He said Pal has connections to Janesville.
Pal is alleged to be driver who struck and killed 18-year-old Devin Julius and 24-year-old Mitchell Vance when an SUV crossed the center line on Highway 14 east of Janesville Sunday night, striking both bikes and fleeing the scene. Spoden said an anonymous tip to 911 led to Pal’s arrest. “This call that we received obviously was a surprise for us. The 911 center obviously did a very good job in the initial questioning of the individual, and the information that the 911 center was extremely helpful,” Spoden said. “One final thank-you is to our citizens, who used social media to get the information out.”
One of Vance’s riding buddies said the news of the arrest is like a huge weight being lifted off his shoulders. “We’re going to see justice,” said Cory Volkey of Janesville. “Justice will never bring back our friends . . . but justice will be served.”
WCLO