Once again, a man has been killed riding a bicycle on the mean streets of Southern California.
And once again, a heartless coward has fled the scene.
According to the Press-Enterprise, 64-year old Perris resident Steve Baxter was found badly injured near the intersection of Goetz Road and Ellis Avenue in Perris around 11:16 Friday night.
He died at the scene five minutes later.
The Riverside County Coroner places the exact location as Goetz Road, 531 ft south of Cai Court.
Authorities are looking for an older white or light colored sedan with major front-end damage and a shattered front windshield, make and model unknown.
Authorities asked anyone with information is urged to call Riverside County sheriff’s deputies at 951/210-1068.
This is at least the 33rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in Riverside County; it’s also the sixth in the county since mid-June, which suggests a serious problem.
Simply put, there is no excuse for failing to have the basic human decency to stop your damn car, and leaving another human being to die alone in the street. Ever.
Period.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Steve Baxter and all his loved ones.
We offer up our prayers for the family and friends of Mr. Steve Baxter.