A 60-year-old bicyclist was struck and killed Friday evening in Santa Ana by a driver who took off instead of stopping, turning a busy intersection into an active crime scene. The crash happened around 6:15 p.m. at Standard Avenue and Warner Avenue, where emergency crews arrived and pronounced the rider dead at the scene. Detectives shut down lanes to collect evidence and are pushing for anyone with tips or video to step up.
Victim Identified, Hit-and-Run Investigation Underway
In a press release on its Facebook page, the Santa Ana Police Department identified the bicyclist as 60-year-old Francois Primeau of Irvine. Investigators said the vehicle that hit him was traveling westbound on Warner Avenue before fleeing the area. Orange County Fire Authority personnel responded and pronounced Primeau deceased at the scene. The Santa Ana Police Department's Collision Investigation Unit is handling the case as an active hit-and-run investigation.
Why This Corner Is Already on the City’s Radar
Standard Avenue is part of Santa Ana’s active bikeways and complete-streets plans, which call for protected bike lanes and traffic-calming measures along the corridor. City planners and bike-safety advocates have long flagged major arterials like Standard and Warner as high-risk routes for people walking or riding bikes. Those planned improvements and safety concepts are outlined by the City of Santa Ana.
Detectives Want Witnesses, Dash-Cams and Doorbell Video
Investigators are casting a wide net for help. The department is asking anyone who saw the collision, has surveillance footage, or captured anything on a dash-cam around the time of the crash to contact the Santa Ana Police Department Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200 or Detective K. Briley at (714) 245-8215. The press release lists Officer Natalie Garcia as the department’s public information officer and Robert Rodriguez as chief of police, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
What California Law Says About Fleeing a Fatal Crash
Under California law, drivers who take off after a collision that causes injury or death can face felony charges under California Vehicle Code section 20001. The statute requires a driver to stop, exchange information and provide aid. Penalties increase when someone is killed, and prosecutors often file fatal hit-and-run cases as serious felonies. The specific language and penalty structure are laid out in California Vehicle Code section 20001.
Investigators say the case remains active and stress that even a small detail, such as partial video or a brief eyewitness account, could help identify the vehicle and driver. Anyone with information is urged to call the Santa Ana Police Department Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200 or Detective K. Briley at (714) 245-8215.
