PERRIS: 62-year-old bicyclist killed by hit and run driver

PERRIS – A man was killed while riding his bicycle when he was hit by a vehicle Monday, Oct. 24. After the fatal collision the driver of the vehicle fled the scene of the accident, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Edmondson.

The coroner’s office identified the victim as Steven Marsh, 62, of Perris. A coroner’s release indicated Marsh sustained fatal injuries when he was struck by the hit and run driver at 3:30 a.m. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff shortly after 7 a.m.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Police Station responded to a report of a vehicle versus bicycle traffic collision at 3:34 a.m. The accident happened on State Route 74 near Navajo Road, in the city of Perris.

Deputies and other emergency first responders found Marsh in the roadway. He had sustained major traumatic injuries and was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. He succumbed to his injuries several hours later.

The Perris Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation.

Their preliminary investigation revealed Marsh was riding his bicycle southbound on Navajo Road and “believed to be facing a green light,” according to Edmondson. As he attempted to turn eastbound onto SR-74, a dark-colored sedan that was traveling westbound on SR-74 ran a red light and smashed into Marsh, leaving him with fatal injuries.

The driver, who has not been identified, fled the scene of the deadly collision.

“As of this report, the driver of the sedan who fled from the scene has yet to contact law enforcement about this investigation,” Edmondson wrote about the fatal hit and run accident. “The sedan should have damage to the passenger’s side front of the vehicle and damage to the front windshield.”

The east and westbound lanes of SR-74 were closed for several hours while deputies conducted their investigation. The road was re-opened at 9 a.m.

“This investigation is on-going,” Edmondson explained.

Anyone with information on this investigation is encouraged to call Officer Reid at the Perris Sheriff’s Station, (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PE162980012 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.