A bicyclist was stuck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Torrance early Monday morning. Patrick Healy reports for NBC4 News on Sept. 17, 2018.
A cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Torrance Monday, and Torrance Police said that clues recovered from a debris strewn intersection may help lead to the identification of the hit-and-run vehicle.
The collision occurred around 5 a.m. on Hawthorne Boulevard, northbound near 227th Street. Emergency responders attempted CPR, but the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The vehicle did continue," said Sgt. Ronald Harris. "We are looking at this as a hit-and-run."
The rear wheel of the bicycle was pretzeled by the impact. It ended up more than one hundred feet away.
Among the debris in the intersection, police found a chunk of front bumper and other pieces that enabled them identify the vehicle as a Toyota 4Runner, 2006-2009, gold or light tan in color. This was corroborated by security camera video police located but are not releasing.
The deceased, a man in his forties, was yet to be identified by the coroner's office. Other cyclists who came upon the scene said at that early hour, the man may have been on his way to or from work.
On the stretch where the impact occurred, the speed limit is 45 mph. There are four lanes for motor vehicles, but no bike lane or parking shoulder.
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Hours after the road had been re-opened, a father carrying his younger son in a bicycle seat avoided the busy street and rode on the sidewalk. Torrance resident Larry Carroll said he knows that is discouraged, but he feels this stretch of Hawthorne Boulevard is too dangerous to ride on the street.
The driver in the collision failing to stop is another concern.
"It's terrifying," Carroll said. "Hit-and-runs are just horrible. Even if you do the most horrific thing, just get out and check on the health of your fellow man."
