Cyclist injured in Highway 1 hit-and-run crash. CHP is searching for driver
The California Highway Patrol is searching for a vehicle that may have been involved in a Highway 1 hit-and-run collision that injured a bicyclist on Friday morning.
Anyone who spots a black Lexus or Toyota sedan with driver’s side damage to the vehicle’s front end is asked to call the CHP.
The crash occurred around 9 a.m. Friday in Cambria, according to CHP Officer Jose Meza, agency spokesman in the Templeton office.
A 60-year-old woman from Morro Bay was cycling southbound on Highway 1, approaching the Ardath Drive intersection, which is the southernmost stoplight in Cambria, Meza said.
Witnesses told CHP Officer Ryan Denker that “a black Lexus or Toyota sedan, traveling east on Ardath Drive, made a right turn onto the highway, failing to see the cyclist who (was) approaching from the left side,” Meza said.
The cyclist, who friend Tim Mayer identified on social media as Laura Lowe, collided with the driver’s side of the car, the CHP officer said.
The driver then “fled the scene,” Meza said.
Lowe was taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo by a Cambria Community Healthcare District ambulance.
Mayer wrote that Lowe suffered multiple broken ribs and both of her collarbones were broken.
“One clavicle is in pieces,” he wrote. “She will need plates, pins and screws installed, and was due to have surgery on Saturday.”
“Her bike doesn’t have a scratch on it,” Mayer added. “She begged the paramedics to bring it along and they did.”
Lowe has led “live exercise programs from Hearst Castle” in San Simeon for many months during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayer posted on social media. “She is an historic Interpreter who gives tours there.”
Friends and coworkers posted that they’re planning to establish a GoFundMe fundraiser to help Lowe through what’s likely to be a long recovery.
“Absolutely anything we can do to help her! And shame on the person that committed the hit & run!!!” one woman posted.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the Templeton CHP office at 805-434-1822.
This story was originally published September 24, 2021 at 1:30 PM.
