After 15 months of investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, no charges will be filed against the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed 19-year-old Ringtown cyclist John Anczarski last year.
The only information regarding the announcement available to the public was a letter from U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales, New Mexico, that was issued to Anczarski's parents.
Nedra Darling, director for the Department of the Interior Indian Affairs office, said this week that no other information was available.
In the letter, Gonzales said "there is insufficient evidence to pursue felony criminal charges" against Gilbert Waconda, a Laguna tribe member in New Mexico. Anczarski left for San Diego on May 23, 2010, with three friends as part of "The Pink Pedal," a team bicycling across the country to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. He was struck at 12:23 p.m. June 21, 2010, along State Road 124 - a stretch of Old Route 66 - in New Laguna on the Laguna Pueblo, an Indian reservation about 45 miles west of Albuquerque.
Anczarski was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, and was pronounced dead June 23.
The letter stated Waconda's vehicle veered 15 to 19 inches outside the white line of the road when it struck Anczarski, but went on to say his inattentiveness is not enough to claim recklessness, which is required for a conviction of involuntary manslaughter.
Blood samples taken sometime after the accident showed neither alcohol nor drugs and state police accident reconstruction officials said Waconda was traveling about 45 mph in a 55 mph zone, according to the letter.
The letter also said Waconda continued to drive after the accident and later told witnesses that he had turned away to look for a family member on the other side of the highway.
"We still have a lot of unanswered questions," Anczarski's father, John, said. "We just want the truth."
Anczarski said the family expected charges to be filed.
"Nothing they do to Mr. Wacando will bring Johnny back," he said. "I'm just concerned that the highways are safe and free of distracted and/or intoxicated drivers. The only thing we could do now is pray that the highways are safe."
Anczarski also noted the family has yet to see any official reports from the investigation or information on Wacando other than the letter.
"Hopefully, they did their diligence to make the highways safe," he said.