The recent carnage on SoCal streets has continued unabated, marking five people killed riding bicycles in just the last six days.
And far too many of those deaths have come at the hands of hit-and-run drivers.
Including a man killed by a heartless coward who fled the scene in Rialto Saturday night.
According to the San Bernardino Sun, the victim was riding south in the second lane of Riverside Ave, approaching Santa Ana Ave, around 7 pm when he was run down from behind by a driver in a Hyundai sedan.
The victim, described only as a man in his 60s, died at the scene.
Police found the car abandoned nearby in Bloomington, and issued an arrest warrant for 46-year-old San Bernardino resident Santos Lopez-Rosales on suspicion of hit-and-run.
As of tonight, he was still on the run.
A street view shows a highway with two lanes in each direction, with a 50 mph speed limit and a complete lack of bicycling infrastructure.
Anyone who may have information about the crash, or the whereabouts of Santos Lopez-Rosales, is urged to call Rialto Police Traffic Sergeant Dan Smith at 909/644-6025.
This is at least the 39th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.
It’s also at least the 15th fatal hit-and-run involving someone on a bicycle since the first of the year, and the third since Wednesday.
Update: The victim’s family has identified him as 65-year old Leopoldo Mondragon, an Orange County resident who lived and worked in Rialto during the week to provide for his family.
The father of six was on his way home from work on his bicycle when he was run down from behind, and left to die alone in the street.
Lopez-Rosales still remained at large as of Tuesday night.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Leopoldo Mondragon and his family and loved ones.
