Loved ones are in shock after a beloved pastor and father of four was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike in Huntington Beach.
On October 20, Eric Williams, 45, was biking with two friends along the Pacific Coast Highway when they were struck by the driver of a sedan just before 7 a.m.
The suspect, Amber Calderon, 43, of Long Beach, drove his car onto the side of the road where the bicyclists were traveling, Huntington Beach police said.
Eric was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two victims suffered serious injuries including spinal fractures, broken ribs, and a broken ankle, in addition to cuts and bruises.
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Eric Williams, 45, appears with his wife and children in a family photo. (West Garden Grove Community Church) -
Eric Williams, 45, poses with his wife and four young children in a family photo. (West Garden Grove Community Church) -
A cyclist was killed and two others were seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident on October 20, 2025 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (KTLA) -
A cyclist was killed and two others were seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident on October 20, 2025 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (KTLA) -
A vigil was held in a park next to West Garden Grove Community Church to honor Pastor Eric Williams on October 24, 2025. (KTLA) -
Eric Williams’ father, Ted Williams, and his sister, Allie Joy Vasquez, speak to KTLA at a candlelight vigil on October 24, 2025. (KTLA) -
Eric Williams was a beloved pastor in Orange County. (West Garden Grove Community Church) -
A vigil was held in a park next to West Garden Grove Community Church to honor Pastor Eric Williams on October 24, 2025. (KTLA) -
Eric Williams, 45, appears with his wife and children in a family photo. (West Garden Grove Community Church)
Calderon did not stop driving “despite suffering a flat tire and visible damage to her vehicle,” according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. “Instead, she continued driving another 2/3 mile and pulled into a parking kiosk at a public park without paying before being intercepted by another driver who witnessed the accident and followed her into the parking lot.”
She eventually stopped about a half-mile from the crash site where she was taken into custody. Her Mercedes-Benz sedan was found to have sustained severe damage to the hood, windshield and front bumper, and the passenger side mirror was missing, police said.
Eric and his wife, Robyn, just celebrated their 20th anniversary and are devoted parents to four young children, loved ones said.
On Friday night, hundreds of attendees, including friends, family and church members, held a candlelight vigil to honor Eric, who was a beloved pastor in Garden Grove.
He founded Community Church in West Garden Grove and previously served as a youth pastor and mentor at Coastal Community Church in Huntington Beach. According to the Orange County Register. Friends said Eric was also passionate about cycling.
“He was a wonderful kid,” Eric’s father, Ted Williams, told KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade. “I don’t regret it. It was great.”
Ted described his son as someone dedicated to helping others. “He lived well and loved well. I am proud of my son.”
“My brother was a family man,” said Eric’s sister, Allie Joy Vasquez. “He just loved people.”
On October 22, Calderon was charged with felony hit and run causing permanent injury or death, and two counts of felony hit and run with injury. If convicted, she faces a prison sentence of up to five years and four months.
“Human life is precious, and an early morning bike ride with friends turned into what can only be described as a heartbreaking tragedy,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. “We are working closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is carried out to the fullest extent of the law for Mr. Williams, his loved ones and the other cyclists who survived such a horrific ordeal on what should have been a peaceful ride along the beach.”
A GoFundMe page to help Eric’s family with funeral expenses It can be found here.