Bicyclist dies after being hit by car and assaulted by driver in Dana Point, authorities say

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Thursday, February 2, 2023
Bicyclist dies after being hit by car, assaulted by driver: Sheriff
A bicyclist died Wednesday afternoon after they were struck by a car in Dana Point then assaulted by the driver, authorities said.

DANA POINT, Calif. (KABC) -- A bicyclist died Wednesday afternoon after he was struck by a car in Dana Point then assaulted by the driver, authorities said.

The collision occurred just after 3 p.m. near the PCH and Crown Valley Parkway.

A sergeant on the scene told Eyewitness News the driver of a white Lexus was heading northbound on the PCH when he hit the bicyclist.

The bicyclist, who has not been identified, was knocked off the bike and ejected onto the street, authorities said.

According to investigators, the driver then turned around, got out of the Lexus and assaulted the cyclist.

"At that point, the suspect drove around the victim, exited his vehicle, went back to the victim and continued to assault the victim," said Sgt. Mike Woodroof with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Details surrounding the assault were not released and it's unclear if the two men knew each other.

AIR7 HD was over the scene as the investigation unfolded, showing the bike mangled in the middle of the street and the white Lexus with a broken windshield.

Witnesses in the area held down the driver until deputies arrived. He has since been taken into custody.

Detectives said they are reviewing video of the assault and are still working to determine a motive.

The incident remains under investigation.