Update 9/17/12:An accomplished medical professional and distance cyclist was lost at the hand of a hit and run driver Saturday morning 9/15/12. “Kit” completed 12 double centuries with the Grand Tour apparently being her favorite. She completed 5 doubles in one year earning a spot in the 1,000 mile club of the California Triple Crown in addition to her other duties and responsibilities in becoming  a medical practitioner at Newport Family Medicine in Newport Beach.

RIP Dr. Catherine “Kit” Campion-Ritz

Police are still on the look out for a black full-sized pickup truck, possibly a 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma, with significant damage to the right front area of the vehicle.

The Newport Beach Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the driver of the vehicle. If anyone has any information regarding this collision, please contact Traffic Investigator Eric Little at (949) 644-3746.

(suspect now charged by OC DA and truck is in custody – 9/19/12)

Update 9/17/12: The collision scene lies between the gated Ocean Ridge Dr. and Vista Ridge heading inland on Newport Coast. There was plenty of fresh paint on the sidewalk and roadway indicating a catastrophic collision scene. As of 12:30 yesterday there were no flowers, balloons, or other markers to indicate another life lost at the hands of a motorist. Some cyclists and even a runner went through the area unaware of what had transpired just over 24 hours earlier.

9-16-12 Collision Scene looking forward

9-16-12 Collision Scene looking back

Runner on NP Coast

Was she trying to avoid a runner? Probably not, but runners in bikelanes are an obstacle and a continued source of stress when not only is there a nice shady sidewalk for pedestrians next to the roadway, but when they are coming at you and hugging the curb forcing riders into traffic.

9/15/12: While enroute to Bayside for Sarah Leaf, our cycling family lost another member to a hit and run.

RIP Catherine Ritz

The suspect vehicle is described as a black full-sized pickup truck, possibly 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma, with significant damage to the right front area of the vehicle.

The Newport Beach Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the driver of the vehicle. If anyone has any information regarding this collision, please contact Traffic Investigator Eric Little at (949) 644-3746 or email at elittle@nbpd.org.