Cyclist killed by hit and run driver

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A Sunday morning bike ride turned fatal eastbound on the Rickenbacker Causeway.

It happened just after 8 a.m. when a driver in a silver Volkswagen struck a cyclist and sped off with evidence of the crash.

"We were just coming out from getting coffee this morning and the guy passed us in a Jetta with a bicycle right underneath the hood going about 60 miles an hour," said Cristian Balbontin.

Riders in another group watched horrified as one person tried to chase the driver down. "The cyclist was riding behind me when he was hit by a car. The car never stopped and took the bike all the way to Key Biscayne," Hector Pashela said.

Also trailing the driver was a police officer in the area who made a U-turn and gave chase. The car and driver stopped on Grapetree Drive.

Authorities transported the cyclist to Jackson Memorial Hospital, but he died from his injuries.

In this case, the accused hit and run driver didn't run very far. "We don't know if he was drunk, but he was running away being chased by another car," Balbontin said.

Police have not identified the victim.

Miami-Dade Police questioned the driver, but the is no word on whether he'll be facing any charges.

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