A neighbor went for a Sunday bike ride. A driver hit him from behind and left him to die.

Police in Oxnard are hunting for the driver who struck a 53-year-old man on Fifth Street and fled.

When we share the road, we trust each other with our lives. That trust broke on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Oxnard.

WHAT HAPPENED

A 53-year-old local man was riding his bike east on Fifth Street. It was just after 4:00 p.m. near Harbor Boulevard.

Another vehicle was driving the same way. The car struck the bike from behind.

Instead of stopping to help, the driver stepped on the gas. They sped away, leaving the man on the dirt shoulder.

Police arrived shortly after the crash. They tried to save him, but his injuries were too bad. He died right there.

WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS

Time of crash: Just after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31.

• Location: Near Fifth Street and Harbor Boulevard.
• Victim details: A 53-year-old man from Oxnard.
• Direction of travel: Both the bicycle and the car were heading east.
• The suspect: An unknown driver who fled the scene without calling for help.

Why do some drivers run when they hit someone? It is easy to blame fear, but it points to a deeper issue.

Our roads are getting busier, and some drivers seem to care less about the lives around them. How do we build a town where people look out for each other?

Police are looking for the car and the driver. They need help from anyone who was near Fifth Street on Sunday afternoon.

Local bike riders are calling for safer streets. This death reminds everyone to watch for bikes and slow down at crossings.