Dana Point: Cyclist hit by car, stabbed by driver on PCH, identified
A Lexus driver struck a bicyclist on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point Wednesday afternoon, then got out and stabbed the cyclist. The driver was held by Good Samaritans until officers arrived. The cyclist died in the hospital.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred at around 3 p.m., when a white Lexus sedan hit a bicyclist riding northbound along PCH at the Crown Valley Parkway intersection.
The OCSD said the cyclist was riding in the bike lane and stopped at a red light when he was struck from behind. The driver intentionally struck the cyclist, officials said.
The Lexus driver then got out of the car and stabbed the cyclist.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
On Thursday, he was identified as Michael Mammone, 58, a local emergency room physician at Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach. The incident occurred about a mile from his workplace.
The driver was held at the scene by citizens until law enforcement arrived and arrested him.
"There were actually locals that were able to detain him until police arrived," said OCSD Sergeant Mike Woodruff. "As far as relationship or motive, we have no idea at this time."
The Orange County District Attorney's Office identified the suspect Thursday morning as 39-year-old Long Beach resident Vanroy Evan Smith. Smith was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Witnesses say that Smith was also holding a BB gun when he approached Mammone, who was lying on the street in critical condition on Wednesday.
Footage from the scene showed the victim's mangled mountain bike and the shattered windshield and front-end damage of the Lexus.
It was unclear if the cyclist and the driver knew each other, or if it was a road-rage incident.
Providence Mission Hospital released a statement following the news of Mammone's death, which read:
"We are stunned by this devastating tragedy. The entire Mission Hospital family is grieving over the loss of an incredible physician and friend."
Late Thursday, a growing memorial for Mammone could be seen at the intersection where the incident occurred, with some people tying bouquets of flowers to the traffic light.
