Driver Of Gray Mazda 3 Sought After Bicyclist Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Authorities Monday were seeking clues that may help identify the motorist who ran over and killed a 45-year-old bicyclist in Homeland.

Juan Holguin of Homeland was fatally hit shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Leon Road and Queen Palm Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Jesus Garcia said that Holguin was riding his bike on Leon when the driver of a gray Mazda 3 sedan plowed into him at an unconfirmed speed, then kept going.

Witnesses immediately reported the victim down in the roadway, and he was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he succumbed to his injuries roughly four hours later.

Garcia said officers gathered information at the scene indicating the Mazda had visible "damage to the passenger side of the front windshield."

A search was initiated, and the four-door vehicle was discovered "abandoned in a dirt alley approximately 1.5 miles from the crash scene," according to the CHP spokesman.

"The vehicle displayed damage consistent with the reported collision," he said.

Officers impounded it for evidence.

Efforts to identify the suspect were ongoing Monday.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation was asked to contact the CHP Temecula office at 951-466-4300.