Christine PelisekThe unknown driver who struck and killed a bicyclist in the valley is looking at murder charges, say police.
Bicyclist Robert Painter, a Canadian citizen who lived in North Hollywood, was the victim of a hit and run on December 2 , at around 5:10 p.m., by a man driving a dark green or black Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The man, who is described as a Hispanic male 30 to 35 years old with dark hair and dark clothes, was traveling northbound on Laurel Canyon Boulevard when he struck Painter who was riding on his bicycle through a crosswalk at Archwood Street. The impact of the collision launched Painter off of his bike into the air.
The man and a female passenger, who was described as possibly wearing a red coat, immediately fled the scene without helping Painter. Los Angeles paramedics responded to the scene and transported Painter to a nearby hospital where he died 10 days later on December 12.
The suspect's car is said to have collision damage on the front end of the driver's side. According to police reports, his car was last seen entering an Arco gas station at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Van Owen Street a block north of where the collision occurred.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8036 or (818) 644-8020.
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