IDENTIFIED: Bicyclist dead after crash on Highway 41 in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The bicyclist who was pronounced dead after being hit by a vehicle on Highway 41 in Fresno on Friday has been identified by the Fresno County Coroner's Office.

The California Highway Patrol says they received a call of a collision on Highway 41 north of Shields Ave. in Fresno at around 4:45 a.m. on Friday.

According to officers, a 41-year-old man, identified by the Coroner's Office as Luciano Becerra Garcia of Fresno, was riding a bicycle southbound in the northbound first lane of Highway 41, north of Shields Ave.

At the same time, CHP says a 19-year-old man was driving a Chevrolet Impala northbound on the first lane of Highway 41, approaching the bicyclist.

Investigators say the driver did not see Garcia in time and the front of the Chevrolet struck him. Garcia was propelled into the traffic lanes and came to rest blocking two lanes of traffic. The driver of the Chevrolet stopped and stayed on the scene.

CHP says Garcia was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. Despite life-saving efforts, he ended up succumbing to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

CHP says it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision.