‘Road race’ killed Fresno mom who was riding bike, attorney says. Her family’s suing

The family of a Fresno woman who was killed while cycling in the east Fresno County foothills is suing the driver of the luxury sports car that collided into her.

Adela Santana-Mullooly, 51, a college instructor, wife, and mother of five, was riding west on Watts Valley Road on Oct. 2 when an Acura NSX driven by Johnson Chang of Clovis was coming the opposite direction.

Along with being an avid cyclist, Santana-Mullooly was a lecturer in the anthropology department at Fresno State. She also taught at Clovis Community College.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the 45-year-old Chang attempted to negotiate a curve in the road but he veered into the westbound lane directly into the path of Santana-Mullooly.

Santana-Mullooly was unable to steer away from the sports car and was hit head-on, according to the CHP. She died at the scene.

Los Angeles attorney Brian Panish, who represents the family, is suing for negligence and financial damages. Panish alleges Chang along with at least four other sports cars — a 2022 white Porsche 911, a 2018 black Porsche 911 GT3, a green Lamborghini and a Ferrari — were speeding and racing against each other on Watts Valley Road.

Named in the civil lawsuit is Chang, Samier Ali Alhadi and Peter Chang. Two other drivers were also said to be involved, but their names are unknown. None of the defendants could be reached for comment Wednesday.

“The drivers of all five vehicles, including Johnson Chang, Sameir Ali Alhadi, Peter Chang, and Does 1 and 2, were driving with a wanton disregard for the safety of people and property. The drivers of all five vehicles were aware that their actions in participating in a motor vehicle speed contest presented a substantial risk of harm, but they intentionally ignored that risk,” the suit states.

Panish alleges in the lawsuit that just before Chang hit Santana-Mullooly, he was cresting a hill and couldn’t see whether there was any oncoming traffic. Panish also says Chang was traveling about 65 mph, in excess of the speed limit of 55 mph for a two-lane undivided highway in California.

Chang stayed at the scene of the crash and was not suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The death of Santana-Mullooly has devastated her family and friends, Panish said. “It has been very difficult for everyone, but especially the children,” he said.

Santana-Mullooly was the wife of James Mullooly, a professor of Anthropology at Fresno State.