Hit-and-run Driver Kills Bicyclist in North Hills

A hit-and-run driver who killed a bicyclist early this morning in North Hills is being sought, KABC-TV Los Angeles reports. The accident, which occurred around 2:00 a.m. on June 8, 2012, involved a dark, mid-sized SUV, and could be a Chevy Tahoe or Ford Explorer showing damage to the windshield.

The victim had been heading eastbound on Nordhoff Street when a vehicle going in the same direction hit him. Police have not released the identity of the victim, who is described as a Hispanic man in his 50s or 60s, KABC-TV Los Angeles reports.

According to authorities, the victim had been doing everything he needed to do to be safe. Captain Ivan Minsal of the Los Angeles Police Department stated that the bicyclist did all the right things, such as wearing a helmet, a reflective vest, using bike headlights. He says the man was an avid bicyclist, the news story reports.

According to witnesses, the driver did not stop after hitting the bicyclist. The vehicle continued heading eastbound on Nordhoff Street.

There several essential things that you should do if you ever witness a hit-and-run accident that could eventually help to save someone’s life.

The first thing is to get the license plate number. Unfortunately, most cities do not have cameras that cover every single roadway, so they will not always know for sure who caused the accident, but if you can get the license plate number, they will be one step closer to knowing.

Another important thing is for you to stop. As a witness to an accident, you cannot be sure that the person who caused the wreck will be responsible and stop at the scene. Your care for the other person can be crucial to the victim of the accident.

Check the victim for life-threatening injury. Look for clues such as disorientation, rapid breathing and heavy bleeding. Call 9-1-1 right away if you suspect that something is amiss.

Do your best Sherlock Holmes impression. Make sure to note all of the details of the vehicle and the driver, such as the make, model and color of the car. Try and get a glimpse of the driver if possible. Of course, it is more important to help the victim of the crash, but try to be aware if you can.

Make sure that you call 9-1-1, even if the victim is not sure if they are injured. It is better to be safe than sorry, as they say, and so it is important to call an officer to the scene to check for clues about the driver’s identity and to make sure that the victim is not seriously injured.

Finally, stay with the victim at least until someone else shows up that can help them. Don’t offer them a ride anywhere, but help them if they need it.