Cyclist killed in hit-run

Investigators are searching for a driver who fatally struck a cyclist Tuesday in Stanton and fled the scene.

The cyclist fell off his bicycle into the far right lane while riding through an alleyway next to southbound lanes of Beach Boulevard, according to an Orange County Sheriff ’s Department preliminary investigation.

The cyclist, identified as Jorge Covarrubias of Stanton, was then run over by what witnesses described as a darkcolored SUV, said Sheriff ’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock. Deputies responded about 4:45 a.m. and found the victim dead.

A video released by the Sheriff ’s Department shows one witness walking north on Beach Boulevard about 30 to 40 yards from where Covarrubias fell, Hallock said. The witness initially begins running toward the victim.

“As he’s running toward the victim, that’s when the victim is hit by the vehicle,” Hallock said.

Although the vehicle initially slowed, the driver then took off at a high rate of speed south on Beach Boulevard.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff ’s Department’s Traffic Bureau at (714) 647-7000 or (949) 4251860.