Coroner ID's Hit-And-Run Victim As Wildomar Man, Person Of Interest Sought

WILDOMAR, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department Coroner's Bureau identified a 63-year-old motorcyclist killed in a collision with a hit-and-run vehicle in Wildomar this week, even as the Sheriff's Department sought the driver thought to be responsible.

Augustine Garcia of Wildomar died at the scene where he was fatally injured on Wednesday at the intersection of Bundy Canyon Road and Harvest Way, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Shortly after 6 p.m., Garcia was traveling through the intersection when his bike was struck by a vehicle. The other driver fled, according to Sgt. Brad Foster.

Though the exact circumstances weren't specified, the hit-and-run driver fled on foot, leaving his vehicle behind, as witnesses called 911, Foster said. Paramedics arrived minutes later and attempted life-saving measures, but Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in this collision," the sheriff's spokesman said.

An autopsy was pending on the victim on Thursday, while investigators worked to track down the hit-and-run suspect.

The Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station has released an attempt to locate request for a man thought to be a person of interest in Garcia's death.

Arturio Morales DeLeon, 40, was last seen in the area of Bundy Canyon Road and Harvest Way in Wildomar.

"If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Arturo DeLeon, please contact the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951.245.3301 or call non-emergency dispatch at 951.776.1099," they said.

Deputies are working to identify the suspect involved in this collision. Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is encouraged to contact Deputy Wiley at 951–245–3000 or the Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951–776–1099.

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Motorcyclist Killed In Wildomar Crash, Driver Flees