Oceanside Cyclist Killed in Hit and Run

Oceanside police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who fatally injured a bicyclist and then fled the scene.

An employee of the San Luis Rey Water Treatment Plant found the victim lying in the road near the facility at 6 a.m. on Sunday, September 21. The man found the victim and his badly damaged bike on North River Road near Baker Street, along with evidence of a crash.

First responders tried to revive the victim, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are holding off on revealing the cyclist’s identity until his family can be notified.

Police found evidence of a collision at the scene, including tire marks, glass shards and other debris.  Investigators believe the hit-and-run car was a lime green Kia Soul from 2012 or 2013.

After the accident, the car would be missing a headlight and have front-end damage on the passenger side. Anyone with information about the victim or the driver is asked to call Oceanside police’s Traffic Services Unit at (760) 435-4801.

Cyclists and pedestrians are the most vulnerable users on the road, because they have the least protection. Without the benefit of doors, airbags and seatbelts, even low speed collisions can cause serious injuries.

When drivers flee the scene of the accident, serious injuries can turn fatal. California is implementing new laws to protect vulnerable users, like the new three-foot passing law, but no law can protect riders when drivers flee the scene without calling for help.

Bicycle Accident Attorney in San Diego, CA

It can be difficult to press criminal charges against a hit-and-run driver once time has passed, but a civil suit can help hold the driver responsible to the victim’s family. For information on civil suits and bicycle safety, follow Bonnici Law Group on Facebook or Twitter.

Attorney Joshua Bonnici is an avid San Diego cyclist who is dedicated to protecting other riders. If you have questions about your accident or your legal options, share your story with Joshua Bonnici today.

[Did You Know: Protected green lanes reduce bicyclist injury risk up to 90 percent.]

Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego bicycle accident lawyer

Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/sep/21/dead-cyclist-oceanside-water-reclamation-plant/