51-Year-Old Bicyclist dies in Northridge Hit-and-Run; No Suspects Identified

Authorities have identified the bicyclist who was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Northridge on Thursday night. Danny Oerlemans, 51, was struck by a vehicle while riding near the intersection of Lindley Avenue and Parthenia Street, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s Office.

The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. when Oerlemans was hit by a northbound vehicle on Lindley Avenue, close to Napa Street. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the impact of the collision knocked Oerlemans off his bicycle and into the street. Tragically, the driver responsible fled the scene without stopping.

In a horrifying sequence of events, Oerlemans was then struck by four or five additional vehicles as he lay on the road. None of these drivers stopped to offer assistance, police reported. Oerlemans was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel who responded to the emergency call.

Authorities have not yet identified any of the drivers involved, and there is currently no description of the vehicle responsible for the initial collision. The LAPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.

The hit-and-run has left the community shocked and outraged, with calls for increased accountability for drivers involved in such tragic incidents. Fatal hit-and-runs have become an all-too-common occurrence in urban areas like Los Angeles, leading to growing concerns about road safety, especially for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the area and are asking witnesses to provide any potential leads. The lack of information regarding the vehicle and suspect has prompted a plea for public assistance.

As the investigation continues, the family and friends of Danny Oerlemans are left grieving a devastating loss. His death adds to the alarming statistics of hit-and-run fatalities in Los Angeles, with the LAPD intensifying efforts to combat this troubling trend. Anyone with details is encouraged to contact the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division. This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers cyclists face on the road and the importance of driver responsibility.