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Ex-Thousand Oaks worker killed in hit-run crash
Port Hueneme man was riding his bike on Surfside Drive
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A 66-year-old man was killed in an early morning hit and run accident in Port Hueneme.
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David M. Pimentel
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A former Navy Seabee who served in Vietnam and oversaw a Thousand Oaks building boom as a city public works supervisor was killed early Thursday by a motorist who plowed into his bicycle and drove away, authorities said.
David Pimentel, 66, of Port Hueneme was riding in the bike lane on eastbound Surfside Drive in Port Hueneme before sunrise when he was hit by the unknown vehicle, police said.
Officers found him lying unconscious against a curb in the 200 block of Surfside Drive after a motorist spotted him and called police about 5 a.m. Police found a mangled bicycle on the road at least 10 yards behind him, Port Hueneme Cmdr. Jerry Beck said.
Emergency responders tried unsuccessfully to revive Pimentel. He was pronounced dead at the scene minutes later.
Police were still searching Thursday for the driver who hit him. They were also trying to determine exactly when and how the fatal crash happened. Police had no description of the vehicle.
Surfside Drive is wide and straight in that area. The bike lane runs along a pedestrian walkway at the edge of the beach.
On Thursday afternoon, the only sign of the crash was a makeshift wood cross set on the grass.
Resident Billy Evans, 53, stopped by with his girlfriend's grandchildren to leave the simple memorial. Although he didn't know the victim, Evans wanted to do something after seeing the scene earlier Thursday. The bicycle "looked like a tank rolled over it," he said.
Morning bike rides were part of Pimentel's exercise routine, Beck said. He also sometimes fished from the nearby pier or picked up cans, investigators learned.
It reflected Pimentel's lifelong love of the outdoors, said Jay Spurgin, deputy public works director for the city of Thousand Oaks.
A former Navy Seabee who served during the Vietnam War, Pimentel worked for the Thousand Oaks Public Works Department for 21 years, said Spurgin, who supervised Pimentel at the end of his career. Pimentel retired in 2001.
As a supervisor of the department's construction inspectors, Pimentel applied his construction experience from the Navy, Spurgin said. "Our public infrastructure is really world class, and he was a key part of making that happen all these years."
Spurgin described Pimentel as a gentleman with a great sense of humor and a knack for dealing with hard-nosed contractors. At work, he was an effective professional who made a point to take desk-bound colleagues on tours of construction projects, Spurgin said.
Pimentel once persuaded co-workers to join him in dressing up as Las Vegas showgirls for a city Halloween party, said Spurgin, who remembered that Pimentel wore combat boots as part of his costume.
Public works employees were shocked Thursday to learn of his death. "It was devastating news for us," Spurgin said.
Pimentel is survived by his wife, Sharon, and three sons.
Anyone with information about the crash or driver should call Sgt. Peter Freiberg at 986-6622. To leave an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 18, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets find this person who did this! There has to be someone out there, somewhere, who saw something?!? Please, if you did, come forward, how much more cowardly could someone be, than to hit someone and leave the scene. Although I did not know this man, it still affects me, this happened in my town, just streets away from my home. My condolences go out to his wife, and 3 sons, our familes thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by camarillomomma on July 18, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sad sad sad...
whoever did this.. pls. fess up!
you will be more at peace with yourselves if you do..
to the family of this man, our prayers are with you!
Posted by hercules360 on July 18, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another cyclist killed on the local streets. Don't hold your breath waiting for the cops to find out who did this, as how many times does a cyclist get injured or killed through no fault of their own then we hear it certainly wasn't the motorist fault. The laws are just not in place to help protect cyclists from motorists. Very Sad
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 18, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
""To die doing what you love is better than waiting to pass in a hospital bed"
Good quote Scott - I'll have to remember that one! Thank you for that.
Posted by VANESSA_MARTINEZ on July 18, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MY CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THIS MAN...... AS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE SAYING BAD THINGS YESTERDAY, THAT WILL SHOW YOU TO LEARN THE FACTS BEFORE YOU SPEAK OF ANYONE.YESTERDAYS COMMENTS BY SOME PEOPLE WERE SO INAPPROPRIATE, ESPECIALLY SHIPFACED.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 18, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed Vanessa_martinez-
Shipfaced was the worst, at least it was removed by the staff though! He/She always has something to say............
Posted by VANESSA_MARTINEZ on July 18, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Ms_California on July 18, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vanessa,
the regulars on this board know who to ignore and for what reasons. Most of the time you can tell which are serious commenters with opinions and those like shipdummy that try to stir up contraversy. My heart goes out to David's family. I really hope that the person who did this is found and found quickly. It isn't closure for the family but it will give some resolution to the unanswered questions they have.
Posted by southcalgirlie on July 18, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolence to the Family, I think that everyone who was talking s--- yesterday should apologies to the family and to all the Latinos. This proves to most of you not to talk s--- before you know the facts.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 18, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms California , How are ya? Didnt see you yesterday on here, - what did vanessa say? I got on here too late to see since it was removed by the staff......
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 18, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BTW Ms_cali - Where is Junior and Relv? :)
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 18, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nevermind Junior and Relv - Saw your guys' comments on other posts, I'm slow today!
Posted by Relative on July 18, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Many people who have posted have been really nice and supportive. None of you know our family, but it is nice to know that there are plenty of decent people out there willing to express sympathy.
I was very disappointed yesterday to see some people bring this to the level of bashing aliens or anyone else. Logic would certainly lead one to believe that a person NOT already doing something wrong would have stopped to call 911 and accepted the consequences for their behavior.
We are a very large, very close family. This has caused a storm of pain that is widespread.
My uncle David was a very sweet man. Like all of his siblings, he had a magnetic personality and was someone that was great to be around. The vacuum his absence creates will be immense.
I do hope the person who did this comes clean. Healing needs to happen for all involved.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 18, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Junior!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What up homie? (J/K)
Relative - I am so sorry for your loss, like I said, I am a hueneme resident, and this is so uncalled for. Where your uncle was riding - is - absolutley, the widest, most bicycle ridden area in hueneme - it's a wide road, and there is no reason for someone to do this, unless they were under the influence or something....this does not make sense. Please give your family our prayers, from our hueneme residence to yours....
Condolences
Posted by jrcarlyl on July 18, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've been walking to the beach with my dog ,lilly, for the past 14 months or so. Some days I would meet A friendly guy on his bike with his fishing geer in tow. I'd say good morning, how's the fish, biting today? He'd reply, good, bad, or so so. A couple of days ago, this guy finally, stopped on his bike, and I asked him about the fishing, he said it was ok, then he reached down and pet, Lilly, and said she sure is preaty, and I said thanks. Before I chould ask him his name, he was off again. I found out his name was, Dave, today. I'm sorry he's not with us anymore, but I'm happy to have met him in this life time. I'm sending my condolences to his Wife and Sons and our prayers. And to the person, or persons who did this I'll pray for you too.Because don't forget, GOD IS WATCHING AND HE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE!
Posted by hisgrl on July 19, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who ever did this will pay. The guilt alone I hope eats him or her alive. It is just not human to leave some one helpless to die. The person will get cought they always do.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 19, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hisgrl-
Absolutley! I agree 100%.........cant wait for this person to get caught. At least they found the stolen car, I'm sure they are hot on his/or/her trail!!!
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 19, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jrcarlyl-
Good to know that Lilly got to meet a nice person! Sweet story!
Posted by angie805 on July 19, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our prayers are with the family.To those who ran there mouths yesterday about these people possibly being hispanics isn't focusing on the fact that a man was murdered.This wasn't a accident hit and run.They became murderer's when they fled the scene.I hope guilt eats at them and when your time comes God punishes you with all he has!Evil is in every race!Turn yourselves in and God will have forgive you and not only will you have peace within yourselves but the family will have the closure and peace they need
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 19, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AMEN Angie!!!!
Posted by phinzphan on July 20, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My Dad was one of the happiest people you can imagine.
We all miss him terribly.
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.
Love you dad. The pier is too quiet without you.
Posted by lorisan on July 21, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my husband had to call me and let me know about David's passing. we don't personally know him, but we often talk to him on the pier. he was very friendly and would often give the fish he caught to the other fishermen who came up empty ended. to his family and friends condolence.
Posted by karenandbillp on July 25, 2008 at 5:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, all the comments are great! I barely knew my Uncle and the kind words are quite insightful and what really strikes me is how much my father and TiTi Dave are alike, except that TiTi Dave was the only tall brother in the family :)
It's terrible how his life was taken, but how many people he touched in life is tremendous.
Posted by green_2007 on August 1, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What progress has the DA's office made on this? I truly hope they do their job and bring the killer to justice.
And I also pray that the trial does not go before Judge Bruce Clark, as Beth Dunn's killer did. Judge Clark had more sympathy for the hit and run driver than he did for the deceased. Randall Painter is probably out of County jail already, after killing Miss Dunn while she was moving thru a crosswalk on a bicycle...
Why these "civil" servants are so soft on crime, I have no idea. The DA's office too. The job is serious, but the courts and DA do not agree obviously.
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