February 16, 2010 | 7:29 am
A surveillance video shows a motorist hitting a cyclist in Compton Monday who later died of his injuries — then fleeing as witnesses looked on.
A silver or gray 1990s Ford passenger van, possibly an Aerostar, struck the man about 8 a.m. as he was riding near South Dwight Avenue and West Compton Boulevard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.
According to KTLA News, three men told sheriff’s deputies they saw the van hit the bicyclist, back up and check on the victim, then speed away.
The driver ran a red light while talking on his cellphone, according to witnesses.
The victim, 40-year-old Ovidio Morales, a father of five, was treated by Compton firefighters, but died of his injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at the Compton sheriff’s station at (310) 605-6500.
–Robert J. Lopez
