It took awhile, but we finally got confirmation that the victim in Monday’s Palm Springs hit-and-run was riding a bicycle at the time.
The victim, identified by his family as 30-year old Palm Desert resident Raymundo Jaime, was riding on South Palm Canyon Drive between Mesquite Avenue and Morongo Road around 9:30 pm Monday when he was struck by a driver, who continued without stopping.
He died at the scene.
Police are looking for a dark-colored compact with likely front-end damage; the driver fled south on Palm Canyon. There’s no description on the driver or make of car.
Jaime’s family called on the driver to turn themself in.
Someone’s sitting at home knowing that they hit someone, they hit a person, and they know that they killed him. They know that; there’s no way on God’s green earth can they not know,” said Jeanette Jaime, Raymundo’s aunt and godmother. “I can understand the fear in them, but it just sickens me that someone can just do this to another person, to a human being.
He leaves behind his wife and a four-year old daughter.
“She is going to grow up without a father,” Jaime said. “It means that she will cry herself to sleep. They had a very awesome relationship.”
A crowdfunding page set up to benefit them has raised just $225 of the $10,000 goal in two days.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Palm Springs Police Department at 760/323-8116.
This is at least the 61st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 8th that I’m aware of in Riverside County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers Raymundo Jaime and his family and loved ones.
Thanks to Victor Bale for the heads-up.
