Residents say the intersection on Balboa Avenue near Charger Boulevard is known to be dangerous because of heavy traffic. NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada spoke with neighbors who are concerned accidents like this could happen again.
A 36-year-old man riding an electric bicycle was struck and killed Saturday morning by a hit-and-run vehicle in the Clairemont Mesa East community of San Diego, authorities said.
The crash occurred at 1:25 a.m. Saturday in the 6900 block of Balboa Avenue. The bicycle was going westbound in the bike lane as the vehicle was going westbound in the No. 2 lane, according to the San Diego Police Department.
"At some point the bicyclist made a movement to the left and veered into the path of the vehicle. The vehicle collided with the bicyclist," police said.
Paramedics rushed the victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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The vehicle fled the scene, and "was determined to be a light-colored possible gray 2016-2022 Mercedes Benz E class sedan, with front end damage and missing grill/front-end body pieces," police added.
"This road, Balboa, it's pretty dangerous...there is a lot of traffic mid-evening to night time," said Juan Torres, a resident who lives in the area.
NBC 7 interviewed several neighbors who said the intersection is always busy with cars, cyclists and pedestrians. They also noted cars are traveling at a high rate of speed and would like to see a lower speed limit.
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"Hopefully people will slow down a little bit more, pay attention and give the right of way to the kids and to the cyclists," said Donaciana Bastida Rocha, a neighbor.
Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the crash to call the SDPD, or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
