A pre-dawn bike ride on Olympic Boulevard ended in tragedy Friday when a pickup struck a 73-year-old bicyclist at Olympic Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles police said. The rider was taken to a nearby hospital and later died of their injuries. Authorities have withheld the victim's name pending notification of relatives. Officers later found a vehicle matching the description of the pickup and arrested a driver near the scene.
According to KTLA, the collision happened at about 6:40 a.m. on March 13, when a white Dodge Ram was making a right turn onto southbound Vermont and hit the bicyclist. Witnesses told investigators the driver briefly stopped, reversed, then took off eastbound on Olympic toward Menlo Avenue without helping the injured rider. A vehicle matching that description was later found nearby, and the driver was taken into custody, KTLA reported.
LAPD: Driver Detained as Crash Investigation Continues
The Los Angeles Police Department said detectives from the West Traffic Division responded and that the investigation remains active, according to a department statement. In that statement, the LAPD said drug use may have contributed to the collision, and whether alcohol was involved is still being evaluated. Detectives are asking anyone with information or dash-cam or surveillance footage from the Olympic and Vermont area to contact West Traffic at (213) 473-0234.
Potential Felony Hit-and-Run Under State Law
Under California law, failing to stop after an accident that causes injury or death can be prosecuted as a felony under Vehicle Code §20001. That statute allows for potential prison time and fines, and prosecutors could pursue hit-and-run or related counts depending on what detectives uncover. Any formal charges would be determined after evidence is collected and reviewed by the district attorney's office.
Authorities did not immediately release the arrested driver's name or say whether formal charges had been filed, as reported by KTLA. The LAPD said it will provide updates as the investigation continues and again urged anyone with information to call West Traffic detectives at (213) 473-0234.
