Cyclist is killed in Stanton hit-and-run

Investigators are searching for a driver who fatally struck a cyclist early Tuesday in Stanton and fled the scene.

The cyclist fell off his bicycle into the far right lane while riding through an alleyway next to southbound lanes of Beach Boulevard, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Department preliminary investigation.

While in the street, the cyclist -- who is still unidentified -- was run over by what witnesses described as a dark-colored SUV, said Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock. Deputies responded about 4:43 a.m. and found the victim dead.

A video released by the Sheriff’s Department shows one witness walking north on Beach Boulevard about 30 to 40 yards from where the cyclist fell into the street, Hallock said. The witness initially begins running toward the victim after spotting him fall.

“As he’s running toward the victim, that’s when the victim is hit by the vehicle,” Hallock said.

Three vehicles are shown in the video, and investigators are searching for the driver of the vehicle that is believed to have run over the victim. Although the vehicle initially slowed down, the driver then took off at a high rate of speed continuing south on Beach Boulevard, Hallock said.

Anyone with information regarding the vehicle or driver is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Traffic Bureau at (714) 647-7000 or (949) 425-1860.

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