Authorities Suspect Hit And Run Driver Intentionally Struck And Killed Bicyclist
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A motorist remains at large after investigators suspect he intentionally ran over and killed a bicyclist in downtown Los Angeles.
The victim, in his 40s, was struck by the suspect's vehicle around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday in the 600 block of San Julian Street. He died a short time later at the hospital, according to coroner's assistant Chief Ed Winter.
The victim's name has been withheld by authorities, pending notification of relatives.
The bicyclist was struck by a 1992 to 1997 model Mitsubishi Montero SUV, driven by a mustachioed Hispanic man between the ages of 45 to 55 years old, according to Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic Division Sgt. Chris Carson.
Witnesses reported that the suspect "appeared to intentionally point his SUV at the victim and accelerate at a high rate of speed," according to a police statement. "Upon impact, the victim was propelled about 60 feet through the air. The suspect driver failed to stop and continued north of San Julian, then turned right on Sixth Street and headed west."
The vehicle received damage to the right front side.
The fatal injury is being investigated as an intentional act, Carson suggested, as police are still working to discover the motive.
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