Santa Cruz County Coroner IDs Cyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run

A bicyclist killed in a hit-and-run crash in Santa Cruz on Friday has been identified today as 63-year-old Jose Adan Lainez, the Santa Cruz County coroner’s office said today.

Lainez was riding his bicycle east on Soquel Avenue near Hagemann Avenue where he was struck by a white pickup truck from behind around 6:40 a.m. Friday, Santa Cruz police said.

The driver also struck a traffic signal that became sheared from the sidewalk, according to police. A city sanitation employee witnessed the collision and saw the pickup truck flee the scene east on Soquel Avenue, police said.

[Previous: Hit-and-Run Driver Left Bicyclist Dead This A.M. On Soquel Ave.]

Firefighters and paramedics responded and pronounced Lainez dead at the scene, police said.

Police are looking for the full-size pickup truck that has major front-end damage.

Soquel Avenue was closed in both directions until about 3:30 p.m. Friday, police said.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the case is asked to call Santa Cruz police at (831) 420-5820. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the department’s tip line (831) 420-5995.

--Bay City News

--Image via Shutterstock