Once again, someone on a bicycle in Los Angeles has been left to die alone in the street by a heartless coward.
But for a change, we actually learned about it the next day.
According to multiple sources, the victim was run down from behind while riding west on East Century Boulevard near San Pedro Street, in the Broadway-Manchester neighborhood of South LA, around 11 pm Sunday.
The victim, identified only as a man in his mid-30s, died at the scene, his mangled yellow road bike lying nearby in the crosswalk.
Unfortunately, security video was too blurry to provide a description of the suspect vehicle or driver, and there doesn’t appear to be any immediate witnesses.
Google Maps shows a bike lane on the west side of San Pedro, but none on the east, where the crash appears to have occurred.
Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD South Traffic Division at 323/421-2500, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800/222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.
As always, there is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver for any fatal hit-and-run in the City of LA.
This is at least the 16th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, the fourth that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County, and just the second we’ve learned about in the City of Los Angeles — which is likely a dramatic undercount.
This is also at least the fifth bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver in Southern California this year.
Update: The victim has been identified as 34-year old Jose Villalobos.
Update 2: The LAPD has posted video of the crash, which occurred with other vehicles around, so someone probably saw it. But be warned, it shows the full crash and the aftermath, be sure you really want to see it before you click on the link.
The police have identified the suspect vehicle as a silver Chevrolet Camaro.
“Following the crash, the driver of the Camaro made a right turn onto San Pedro Street, continued northbound, and then turned westbound onto East 98th Street, fleeing the scene without stopping to render aid or identify themselves, as required by law,” police said.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Jose Villalobos and his loved ones.
Thanks to Jeffrey for the heads-up.
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