Yet another bike rider has been killed by a heartless hit-and-run driver, left to die on the side of a road just outside San Jacinto in Riverside County.
According to the Press-Enterprise, the victim was found on lying on the eastbound side of the Ramona Expressway, about 590 feet east of Alessandro Avenue, and pronounced dead at 6:26 am.
She was identified as 57-year old Hemet resident Vivian Thomas.
There’s no word on how long she may have been there, or if she might have survived her injuries if the driver had stopped and called for help, as required by law.
Let alone basic human decency.
If and when the hit-and-run driver is caught, he or she should face a 2nd degree murder charge for making a conscious decision to let the victim die. But probably won’t.
This is the 49th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth in Riverside County.
Seventeen of those SoCal deaths have been the result of hit-and-run.
Update: The Press-Enterprise reports Thomas was struck from behind by a Chevrolet or GMC truck or SUV. She had been dead about six hours when she was found, placing the time of the crash sometime around or before midnight.
Anyone with information is urged to call the CHP San Gorgonio Pass office at 951/769-2000.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Vivian Thomas and all her loved ones.
