A well-lit and helmeted cyclist was hit by a black, mid 90's Ford Thunderbird on the highlighted stretch of road, despite the cyclist being well away from the actual road. (Google Earth)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Thunderbird

Oceanside RCMP seek driver after hit-and-run involving cyclist

Jun 2, 2020 | 11:24 AM

PARKSVILLE — Oceanside RCMP are turning to the public for help catching a driver who hit a cyclist and sped away.

Cpl. Jesse Foreman told NanaimoNewsNOW a well-lit, helmeted cyclist on Memorial Ave. returning home to Port Alberni towards Hwy. 4 was clipped by a car on Thursday, May 28 around 9:30 p.m.

Foreman said the 59-year-old cyclist well off the roadway was hit on the elbow, while the side of his bike clipped, but managed to stay upright.

He said the victim, who wasn’t seriously injured, noticed the driver had long blonde hair.

“He was not sure if it was a male or female but did definitely see they had something in their hand. We’re not sure if it was an electronic device or not.”

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Foreman said while what’s believed to be a black, 90’s model Ford Thunderbird didn’t have a significant amount of contact with the cyclist, the driver would have known they’d hit someone.

“We all know even if a big bug hits our windshield it’s a considerable thump. If you’re running into someone on a bicycle, I would definitely assume you’d know you’d bumped into something and you would at least stop and check to make sure you didn’t hurt someone.”

Oceanside RCMP is now urging anyone with information about the hit-and-run or the car involved to call Oceanside RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

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