3 hit-and-runs involving bicyclists in Huntington Beach may be related, police say

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Police in Huntington Beach are investigating three separate hit-and-run crashes involving bicyclists, one of which was deadly, that may be related and may have been intentional.

All three incidents happened within a .5-mile radius across a time span of 45 minutes Sunday night

The first incident happened around 10 p.m. at Warner Avenue and Edwards Street, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. A man reported that he was riding his bicycle in the crosswalk when he was hit by a car that fled the scene.

That bicyclist suffered minor injuries.

The second hit-and-run happened around 10:30 p.m. on Edwards Street and Brad Drive. The victim in that incident told police the vehicle intentionally sideswiped him before driving away. He also suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The third bicyclist was fatally hit near Heil Avenue and Springdale Street around 10:45 p.m., according to the police. Officers found a man lying in the street with major injuries, which he did not survive.

That victim has not been identified.

"We don't have any surveillance video at the time. We are asking the public to please check your cameras," said Jessica Cuchilla, public information officer for HBPD.

Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a possible black Toyota four-door sedan with significant damage to the front passenger-side bumper.

Area resident Caden Miskelly said she heard a loud thud when the crash took place.

"We kind of just saw a car hit like a curb but we came out here and we saw this," Miskelly said. "But, we were kind of just far from it we didn't really see anything happen. We just heard it."

He said the incidents are scary because there are a lot of people on electric bikes.

A motive was not clear, but authorities say the incidents were described by surviving victims as intentional.

Anyone with relevant information is urged to call police at (714) 375-5066 or (855) 847-6227 to remain anonymous.