Yet another person has been the victim of an — allegedly — drunk coward who fled the scene of the crash.
According to multiple sources, the victim was riding south on Western Ave near San Marino Street when a driver struck him from behind just before 2 am.
The 26-year old driver fled the scene, but was arrested nearby after police found a white sedan with damage consistent with the collision. Fox 11 reports he was speeding at the time of the crash, and was found in his car obviously intoxicated.
The victim has been publicly identified only as a Latino in his 50s. He died at the scene.
He appears to have been riding a mountain bike with reflectors, but no lights are visible in the news reports.
A street view shows a four lane road on Western with center left turn lanes in both directions at San Marino, and no bike lanes. And little or nothing to slow a speeding drunk at that hour.
This is the 52nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 23rd in Los Angeles County; it’s also the eighth in the City of LA.
At least 19 of those 52 fatal crashes have been hit-and-runs.
Update: The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Los Angeles resident Mario Calderon.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Mario Calderon and his loved ones.
