Bicyclist, 52, Dies After Hit-and-Run

A 52-year-old Arleta bicyclist was killed Sunday morning when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver who apparently swerved toward him, authorities said.

Loreto Ramirez Navarro was riding a 10-speed bicycle south on Sepulveda Boulevard near Rayen Street in North Hills when he was hit about 7:45 a.m., said Sgt. Dennis Zine of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division.

Navarro was taken to Kaiser Hospital Medical Center in Panorama City, where he died of head injuries at 11:55 a.m., Zine said.

Two witnesses, another motorist and a pedestrian, told police that the driver pulled over after the accident and returned to the scene.

“He parked his car, walked back to where the deceased was lying, and then just turned around and walked away,” Zine said. “There’s no doubt that he knew what he did.”

The witnesses told police that it appeared as if the motorist had swerved toward the bicyclist, who was riding close to the curb.

“The bike rider didn’t appear to be doing anything wrong,” Zine said.

Police have the license plate number of the car, and were conducting a search for the man, who police describe as a Los Angeles resident in his 40s.

“We’ve got good leads on who he is and where he lives,” Zine said.