The search for a hit-and-run driver who left a bicyclist critically injured in Van Nuys was called off Wednesday when police learned that there was no car involved after all - the investigation revealed that the bicyclist fell off his bike and hit his head while intoxicated, police said.
A good Samaritan came to the bicyclist's aid late Tuesday night near Saticoy Street and Woodley Avenue after noticing the man in the middle of the street lying next to his bike, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
"I came here, I didn't see anyone going down the road or around the road, or approaching or leaving ... I only saw the gentleman laying in the crosswalk, kind of mangled, and flipped and turned inside his bike," Lukas Bailey said.
Based on the severity of the man's injuries and damage to the bicycle, police said the good Samaritan may have concluded that the man had been struck by a car. Police were given no description of the car or direction it fled.
The bicyclist was taken to a trauma center with critical injuries.
Corey Arvin and Oleevia Woo contributed to this report.
