Comox Valley RCMP are asking the public for assistance after a cyclist was killed in a late-night hit-and-run in Courtenay.
A passerby found the injured cyclist on the Comox Valley Parkway near Minto Road shortly before 11 p.m Monday, said Const. Monika Terragni, media relations officer for Comox Valley RCMP.
Emergency responders provided first aid to the injured cyclist, who later died in the hospital as a result of his injuries.
Terragni said police believe the cyclist was struck by a vehicle travelling on the Comox Valley Parkway perhaps as early as 9 p.m. “It’s hard to say exactly what time this occurred, so we’re casting a wide net to capture any time that it could have occurred.”
The victim was riding a red-and-white bicycle. Police said the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run will likely have sustained new front-end damage.
Terragni said hit-and-run crashes in the area are uncommon. “Most of the time, people are willing to stick around and co-operate with the investigation and help whoever that’s hurt.”
RCMP are asking for witnesses and dash-cam footage that may help assist in the police investigation.
Investigators from the integrated collision analyst services and the integrated forensic identification services were at the scene after the crash. Officers from the RCMP’s major crime unit and street crime units continued the investigation on Tuesday.
Police asked anyone with information that could be relevant to the investigation to come forward, including the driver of the vehicle involved, any passengers, and “anyone who might have noticed some very recent, potentially suspicious, damage to a vehicle.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 and refer to file 2024-1916.
