Go ahead and call it murder.
A Long Beach man is dead, nine days after he was run down by a heartless coward who left the 71-year old lying critically injured in the street.
According to KCBS-2, Samuel Juarez Rivera was riding his bicycle in a crosswalk on northbound Walnut Ave, when he was struck by a driver traveling west on Anaheim Street around 6:20 am on Friday, November 4th.
Rivera was rushed to a local hospital, where he reportedly died on Monday; however, the Press-Telegram reports he passed away on Sunday, November 13th.
No word on whether he was conscious or able to talk with investigators. Or who may have had the green light at the time of the crash.
There’s also no information on whether the driver may have been speeding, distracted or impaired.
Police are looking for the driver of a white sedan; there’s no further description of the car or driver at this time.
What is certain is that Rivera deserved better.
Anyone with information is urged to call Long Beach Police Detective Joseph Johnson at 562/570-7355.
This is at least the 73rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 24th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.
At least 24 of the bike riders killed in Southern California have been the victims of hit-and-run drivers.
