Bicyclist Hurt in Hit-Run Dies; Driver Is Held

A bicyclist struck by a hit-and-run driver on May 31 has died, police said.

Rolando Nestor Munoz, 39, of Costa Mesa was hit by a car while riding his bicycle near Miner and Wilson streets shortly after 8:30 p.m., witnesses told police. The driver of the car did not stop, continuing west on Wilson Street.

Munoz was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, where he died just after 11 a.m. Monday as a result of his injuries.

About 15 minutes after Munoz was struck, Newport Beach police apprehended Brian Dean Batchelder, 37, of Newport Beach. Witnesses told police that Batchelder drove into a bridge abutment at the intersection of Newport Boulevard and West Coast Highway and fled on foot.

Batchelder’s car description and license plate reportedly matched information given to Costa Mesa police by witnesses to the accident. One witness said that before Munoz was struck, Batchelder was involved in a minor hit-and-run collision on private property in the 2300 block of Harbor Boulevard.

Costa Mesa police arrested Batchelder on suspicion of felony hit and run and drunk driving. As a result of Munoz’s death, Batchelder may face additional charges, pending a review of the case by the Orange County district attorney’s office.