Santa Cruz resident killed in hit and run ID’d

Jose Adan Lainez, a man who lived in Santa Cruz, is the victim of a fatal hit and run accident Friday, according to the Santa Cruz County Coroner’s office.

The 63-year-old Salvadorian man was on his way to work when he was hit from behind while riding his bike eastbound on Soquel Avenue near Hagemann Avenue in Santa Cruz at about 6:40 a.m., according to witnesses. The pick-up truck driver also hit a traffic signal.

The Lainez’s family reached out to NewsChannel 5 and said they hope police catch the suspect. The family said most of his family lives in Washington D.C. but said he lived in Santa Cruz with his wife. The Lainez family said they plan to take his body to Washington.

There is a makeshift memorial for the cyclist who was killed, which was created by staff members of the Mental Health Client Action Network who saw the accident.

Santa Cruz Police closed the area for several hours Friday for investigation. They are reviewing surveillance from nearby businesses. Police are looking for a full white size pick-up truck with front end damage.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Cruz Police Department at(831) 420-5800.