Police looking for pickup driver who may have information on collision that killed bicyclist

Detectives in Palos Verdes Estates are trying to find witnesses to a possible hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a bicyclist on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at about 9:45 a.m., the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department responded to the 1100 block of Granvia Altamira regarding an injury traffic collision involving a bicyclist. Officers arrived and located an injured bicyclist lying on the roadway.

Near him was a men's dark colored specialized road bike. The bicyclist, a male in his late 60's, was unconscious and appeared to have a head injury. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics responded to treat the injured bicyclist.

He was transported to Harbor UCLA Medical Center in critical condition. Although the bicyclist was wearing a helmet, he later succumbed to his injuries. Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears the bicyclist was riding northbound on Granvia Altamira when the collision occurred. It is unknown if another vehicle was involved in the collision; however, a white, late 1990's-early 2000's, Ford F150, four-door, pick-up was seen travelling behind the bicyclist prior to the area where the collision occurred. It is believed that the driver and/or occupants of this vehicle may have information about the collision. The driver was described as a heavyset, White, male adult, 6' tall , wearing a blue shirt.

The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. The name of the bicyclist is being withheld pending family notification. Detectives would like to speak to anyone who might have seen the events leading up to and including the collision. Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Palos Verdes Estates Police Detective Sergeant Hellinga at 310-378-4211.

Specifically, they want to talk to the driver of a white truck seen on security video tailing the bicyclist before the rider was found injured on the ground.

Investigators declined Thursday to definitively say the truck struck the bicyclist.

"We are looking to talk to any of the occupants of the white truck to help us make that determination," Palos Verdes Estates police Sgt. Luke Hellinga said.

The white truck, identified as a late 1990s to early 2000s model Ford F-150, was captured on video by a security camera in the area. Investigators released the picture to the public Thursday.

An occupant of that truck stopped after the bicyclist went down in the 1100 block of Granvia Altamira about 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. The man flagged down other people, asking for someone to call 9-1-1, Hellinga said.

Once he was successful, he got back into his truck and drove away, Hellinga said. The man was described as white, 6 feet tall, heavyset and wearing a blue shirt.

The bicyclist, a man in his 60s whose name was not released, was unconscious and appeared to have a head injury, police said. He was taken to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he died.

Police believe the bicyclist had been riding north on Granvia Altamira when a collision occurred.

"Detectives would like to speak to anyone who might have seen the events leading up to and including the collision," police said.

The white truck might have damage, Hellinga said.