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Morning Report: Police searching for men who hit cyclist with SUV
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More from Other NewsPolice and Fire: Ventura police this morning are asking for help finding two men they say intentionally hit a bicyclist with a vehicle Monday night.
The assailants, who were driving a red 1980s Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle, first allegedly spit repeatedly at a 26-year-old Ventura cyclist as he rode his bike on Main Street about 6:30 p.m., Ventura police said in a prepared statement.
When the cyclist began to follow the SUV, the driver slammed on the brakes near the intersection of Oak Street and Santa Clara Avenue in Ventura, causing the cyclist to hit the back of the vehicle and careen into oncoming lanes, police said.
Then, while the victim was still on his bike in oncoming lanes, the driver accelerated across the street and hit him with the SUV.
The cyclist was transported to Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, where he was treated for abrasions and lacerations, then released.
Police have classified the attack as an assault with a deadly weapon. They have not identified the perpetrators.
Witnesses are encouraged to call Ventura Police Detectives at 339-4394 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK.
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Weather: A high pressure system currently centered over Arizona is expected to move west and kick off a heat wave in much of Southern California this week, the National Weather Service reported.
Temperatures into the upper 90s in Ventura County's inland valleys, and in the lower 80s on the coast are expected today, according to weather service forecasts.
The mercury is expected to shoot up as high as 107 Wednesday and Thursday in valleys before cooling to 100 on Friday and heading back into the 80s over the weekend.
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Traffic: At 7:02 a.m., the California Highway Patrol was not reporting any traffic accidents or hazards on county roadways.
Posted by AnaCapa on August 28, 2007 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope they catch the driver of the SUV.
Posted by Comments on August 28, 2007 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Were there any witnesses to this incident? I just wonder why the cyclist would follow the SUV. Sounds like a bit of road rage by both parties. In any case, I do hope they find the driver of the SUV.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 28, 2007 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah me too ! Glad the guy didn't suffer major injuries.......
Posted by dana1230 on August 28, 2007 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tempers flare too easily. Last week I saw two joggers kicking a car and trying to get inside of it at an intersection. I can only assume the joggers were in the crosswalk and the car almost hit them in it. Those two joggers looked like clean cut professional men in their late 20s...and they acted like common thugs. People need to learn to take chill pills....seriously.
Posted by bugmenot on August 28, 2007 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"When the cyclist began to follow the SUV, the driver slammed on the breaks near the intersection of Oak Street and Santa Clara Avenue in Ventura, causing the cyclist to hit the back of the vehicle and careen into oncoming lanes, police said."
Cracking me up.
Posted by Jacksprat on August 28, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can remember reading about a person walking who came to a crosswalk at a traffic and there was a car, which was pulled way past the crosswalk markers, he just walked over the car. I have been tempted to do the same, but just give the jerk a nasty look. People should respect one another. The jerks in the SUV no matter what the guy on the bike did, had not respect and should see a little time in the Jail
Posted by high_society on August 28, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I can remember reading about a person walking who came to a crosswalk at a traffic and there was a car, which was pulled way past the crosswalk markers, he just walked over the car."
That is so funny.
I try not to make anyone mad and just ignore them. Why waste energy?
But that walking over the car is funny.
Posted by allycalifornia on August 28, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They spit at him, and then ran him over. No excuse. It is not funny, and the people in the SUV won't find it so funny when they're in front of the judge.
Posted by RelaxPeople on August 28, 2007 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah, i cant wait for these guys to get booked. i've been running and biking for years and its inevitable to get taunts yelled at you or in one case to have an egg thrown at you. there are def a lot of tuff-guys out there who have incredibly shallow and pathetic lives of their own. and while i generally agree to "let it go," this guy was SPIT ON; which is far worse than getting the finger or being yelled at. anyone that can just walk away after being spit on is a far bigger follower of the bible than myself.
Posted by cody1000 on August 28, 2007 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
assault with a deadly weapon. well said.
Posted by FedUp on August 28, 2007 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have kicked my fair share of vehicles in the cross walk. it usually happens when I am walking my dogs. people have zero respect. therefore, I have zero respect for those idiots who think their cars belong in a crosswalk. take a chill pill someone says... screw that. how about obeying the traffic laws. same goes for those who jump the light and turn in front of pedestrians. I will usually leave a loogie on their car. grow up? maybe, but once again, if they follow the laws that are there to protect people, I would not have to do anything.
I am sorry this guy was hit. I hope he recovers ok.
Posted by Star7 on August 28, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i wonder if it was racial
Posted by GhostReader on August 28, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Biker -- Riding his bike, saving gas, the environment and adding to his health. Also putting less wear and tear on our tax payer supported streets and transit system.
SUV -- Burning more gas than the average car, occupants spit, repeatedly, on the biker, then the drive assaulted him with car. Intent to kill? Perhaps.
Critical Mass rides are needed here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical...
Posted by JenLynn on August 28, 2007 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
low_amps2 that was funny.
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