LA County

Bicyclist Hit, Killed by Moving Truck in Rancho Palos Verdes

A bicyclist was struck and killed by a moving truck in Rancho Palos Verdes Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

Deputies responded to the crash on Vallon Drive near Hawthorne Boulevard at 2:50 p.m.

Vallon Drive was closed to traffic near Hawthorne Boulevard, the LA County Sheriff's Department said.

When paramedics arrived, they determined the cyclist was dead, deputies said.

Deputies said they believe the cyclist was traveling down the boulevard, which has a very steep hill, and was traveling at an estimated 45 mph.

"The grade on Hawthorne Boulevard is quite high, so if you're going that speed, it's really impossible to stop," Keith Swensson of the LA County Sheriff's Department said. 

It's believed the Mayflower truck was making a right at a cross street when the crash occurred.

The truck driver, unaware that the cyclist had slammed into the truck, continued driving down Vallon Drive. 

Swensson said that no crime was committed. 

"The driver had no idea what had happened with the bicyclist," Swensson said. "Everything the driver was doing was legal at the time." 

Residents would have to walk into the neighborhood off Vallon Drive as traffic was not allowed onto the street during the investigation.

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