A man riding a bicycle was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Coachella Thursday night, then left in the road for another motorist to finish the job.
Or maybe it was Indio. Or even Thermal.
Multiple sources reported on the crash, but couldn’t seem to agree on the location.
But Google Maps puts in it Coachella, so we’ll go with that.
The victim was reportedly riding south in the 54000 block of Grapefruit Blvd, north of Palm Street, when he was run down from behind by a heartless coward, who fled the scene, around 11:35 pm.
He was then struck by a second driver, who stuck around after the crash and called 911.
The victim was identified only as a 54-year old man from Coachella.
There’s no word on whether he was riding in the traffic lane when he was struck; a street view shows a two lane highway with a minimal paved shoulder he could have been using.
It’s also not clear how long after the initial impact he was struck by the second motorist, or if he could have survived if the first driver had the basic human decency to stop after hitting someone.
The second driver won’t face charges in the crash. The same can’t be said for the coward who fled.
Unfortunately, no description is available for vehicle used in the hit-and-run, or for the person driving it. Anyone with information is urged to call CHP Officer Windsor at 760/772-5300.
This is at least the 67th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in Riverside County.
At least 19 of those SoCal bicyclists have been the victims of heartless hit-and-run drivers.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.
