Yet another bike rider has been killed by a heartless hit-and-run driver, left to die on the side of a road just outside San Jacinto in Riverside County.
According to the Press-Enterprise, the victim was found on lying on the eastbound side of the Ramona Expressway, about 590 feet east of Alessandro Avenue, and pronounced dead at 6:26 am.
She was identified as 57-year old Hemet resident Vivian Thomas.
There’s no word on how long she may have been there, or if she might have survived her injuries if the driver had stopped and called for help, as required by law.
Let alone basic human decency.
If and when the hit-and-run driver is caught, he or she should face a 2nd degree murder charge for making a conscious decision to let the victim die. But probably won’t.
This is the 49th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth in Riverside County.
Seventeen of those SoCal deaths have been the result of hit-and-run.
Update: The Press-Enterprise reports Thomas was struck from behind by a Chevrolet or GMC truck or SUV. She had been dead about six hours when she was found, placing the time of the crash sometime around or before midnight.
Anyone with information is urged to call the CHP San Gorgonio Pass office at 951/769-2000.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Vivian Thomas and all her loved ones.
Praying for the family and friends of Ms.Thomas.
Here is the problem.
She was riding in the number two lane, NOT in the separate two lane bike lane 15 feet to her left.
There are no street lights, and the sun is not up yet at this time.
This is adjacent to a farm property I live on, I am an ex racer, and avid collector.
Yes the driver should have stopped, but simply obeying the posted traffic rules could have prevented this one.
correction, to her right in the east direction of travel.
Mandatory held without bail for hit and run. THey have already been proven a flight risk which is the reason for bail.
Thank you so much for your support & ur fight to stop such senseless deaths. She was an amazing woman greatly loved by all who knew her & will be deeply missed
I’m so sorry for your loss. No one should ever have to die like this.
I agree. All I keep thinking of is what she could have gone through being left alone like that & how I can find this person myself. Hemet isnt that big & it not that hard to talk to people or to get people to talk. I will miss Mrs. V very much.