Cyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run During 60-Mile Road Ride Had Local Ties: Memorial Services Announced

MORENO VALLEY, CA — When 62-year-old Duane Darling set out for his 60-mile road bike ride last week, little did he know that it would become his last. Several miles into that ride, he was hit by a pickup truck on a narrow two-lane county road and left to die, authorities report.

On Sunday, July 31, a vehicle veered to the right of the roadway and collided with Darling who was riding a bike in the area of Cajalco and Wood around 8:35 p.m., the CHP previously reported. The man was pronounced dead at Riverside County Regional Medical Center.

While police are still looking for whomever was responsible for the hit-and-run, friends and family are preparing to remember Darling at a memorial service this weekend.

Darling, who lived in Moreno Valley, was a member of the Redlands Water Bottle Transit Company, which described itself as "a recreational bicycling club devoted to the promotion of friendly cycling in the Redlands, CA area."

"Everyone who knew Duane, loved him and his personality and he will be missed by all of us," ride director Mark Wingo wrote on Facebook. "Although I only met Duane on a couple of occasions, his love for cycling was very clear and he enjoyed his bike."

Darling was also an avid runner, known to many of his friends as "Pre"— due to his mustache which was similar to running legend Steve Prefontaine.

Patch is told that community members are invited to attend a viewing today (Friday), from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Murrieta Valley Funeral Home, 24651 Washington Ave., Murrieta, CA 92562.

A funeral service is set for Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 23800 Washington Ave., Murrieta, CA 92562. Prior to the service, there will be a second viewing at the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

More info on the service can be found here.

RELATED:

CHP Asks for Public's Help in Solving Deadly Hit, Run of Bicyclist on Cajalco Road

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(Contributed images)