Please, not again.
According to KABC-7, an Orange County bike rider has been killed in yet another fatal hit-and run.
The victim, identified only as a man in his 20s, apparently rode off a popular bike path to cross Bastanchury Road at the intersection with Morelia Avenue around 10:20 this morning. As he crossed the road, he was hit by a black subcompact car, which fled the scene, followed by a second vehicle that stopped after hitting him.
KNBC-4 reports that the rider may have been on a BMX bike, and coming off a dirt trail popular with mountain bikers. Both vehicles that hit him were traveling east on Bastonchury.
The victim was transported to a local hospital, and died a short time later.
Fullerton police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and finding the driver who fled the scene, leaving his victim to die.
This is the 34th bicycling fatality in Southern California since the first of the year, and the sixth in Orange County. It’s also the ninth cyclist to be killed in a hit-and-run this year, and the fifth SoCal bike rider to be killed in the last five days.
Thanks to NBCLA for the heads-up.
My prayers for the victim and his family and friends.
Update: A report from the Orange County Register adds few details, noting that police are unsure who had the right-of-way, and that the impact from the first collision threw the bike rider into the air, where he was apparently struck by the second car, a Volkswagen Jetta, whose driver remained at the scene.
KNBC-4 reports that the cyclist was not carrying ID, suggesting that police have not been able to identify the victim, who appears to be in his mid to late 20s.
Update 2: The Orange County Register identifies the victim as 41-year old Richard Paine of LaHabra. Paine reportedly rode off a biking and hiking train into oncoming traffic, though it’s still unclear who had the green light.
