AURORA, Colo. — A bicyclist was killed in an early-morning hit-and-run crash on Wednesday, the Aurora Police Department said.
Police and fire crews responded to the 1800 block of South Buckley Road about 3 a.m. on several reports of a male in the road.
Officers determined the bicyclist was hit by a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver did not stay at the scene and has not reported being involved in the accident, police said.
On Wednesday afternoon, police received a tip about an abandoned vehicle near East Quincy Avenue and South Memphis Street, about 4 miles from the crash scene.
Police believe it is the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run based on evidence at the scene.
“When officers went to go look at that car, the damage matched to that of striking a person. There was an imprint in the windshield, there was an imprint in the a pillar of the car,” APD Lt. Jad Lanigan said.
Police are still looking for the hit-and-run driver and another vehicle that hit the bicyclist after the initial crash.
The second vehicle is a 2001 to 2003 two-door Honda Civic that might have front left damage and missing the front left inner fender liner.
The Arapahoe County Coroner has identified the man who was killed as 34-year-old Justin Edward Gonzales.
Police said it’s the 19th traffic-related death in Aurora this year.
“We’re just asking the public to slow down and pay attention to what’s around you. I always say society is running 15 minutes late. People try to make up that time when they are behind the wheel. That 15 minutes could be the difference between life and death,” Lanigan said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 303-739-6351.