Hit-and-Run Victim Is Listed in Critical State

A bicyclist was in critical condition at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana on Wednesday after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.

The identity of the victim remained a mystery because neither police nor hospital officials have been able to ascertain his name or address. He is thought to be about 30 years old. He was unconscious when brought into the hospital Tuesday night and was still unable to communicate on Wednesday, officials said.

Police said the accident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Broadway and Pomona Street. A vehicle struck the cyclist and then kept on going, police said.

Maureen Haacker, a spokeswoman for the city, said there were no witnesses to the accident. She said the injured cyclist carried no identification, thus hampering efforts to learn his name.

Police have asked anyone who may have witnessed the accident to call them at (714) 834-4211.

Michael Mott, chairman of the Orange County Bicycle Coalition, said Wednesday that he was angry and concerned about the rising number of cyclists killed or injured by motor vehicles in the county.

“I hate this,” he said. “Something needs to be done to make it safer for bicycle riders, and one thing is to slow cars down. We’ve created a situation where motorists just want to jump in their cars, drive as fast as they can, and shoot or run down anyone who gets in front of them.”

Mott noted that all levels of government are trying to encourage more people to ride bicycles in order to reduce car trips.