Witnesses Sought In Hit-And-Run Of Bicyclist In Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, CA -- Witnesses are sought in an alleged hit-and-run collision last week in Palo Alto that left a bicyclist injured, police said Tuesday.

Palo Alto police say the collision involving a white four-door sedan -- possibly a Toyota Corolla or similar make and model -- occurred just before 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 7 in the 2200 block of Alma Street, just north of N. California Avenue.

"... The victim was lawfully riding his bicycle southbound in the slow lane of Alma Street," police said their investigation revealed. "As the suspect vehicle attempted to pass him in the slow lane, the vehicle struck the bicycle’s left handlebar and caused the victim to fall. The vehicle never stopped and continued southbound on Alma Street."

Bystanders called 911, and when paramedics with the Palo Alto Fire Department arrived, the cyclist in his 20s was lying injured in the roadway, police said.

Although the victim was wearing a helmet, he suffered moderate injuries to his head, according to police. He was taken to a local hospital but has since been discharged and is recovering at home.

Witnesses described the suspect's vehicle as a white four-door sedan, and one witness told police the car's passenger-side mirror might have struck the bicycle. But no witnesses have been able to describe the driver, police said.

The driver, once located, may face felony charges of hit-and-run, police said, asking anyone with information about the incident to call the department's dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the department's mobile app, downloadable at PAPD-AppStore or PAPD-GooglePlay.

Patch file photo/Credit: Renee Schiavone