Doctor cycling on Pacific Coast Highway is mowed down by Lexus then stabbed to death by the driver
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58-Year-Old California Physician Bicycling On Pacific Coast Highway Struck By Lexus Then Stabbed To Death By Driver: Attacker Held By Horrified Bystanders
- Michael Mammone, 58, died while traveling on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point
- The suspect, Vanroy Evan Smith, 39, was booked on suspicion of murder.
An investigation is underway after a medic riding a bicycle on an Orange County highway was struck by a Lexus and then stabbed by the driver, who was then restrained by shocked bystanders.
Southern California authorities say a cyclist, later identified as 58-year-old Michael Mammone, has died after being struck from behind by a white Lexus while traveling on Pacific Coast Highway in the Dana Point area.
After the crash, the Lexus driver got out of his car and assaulted Mammone with a knife.
Witnesses said the suspect punched the cyclist and stabbed him at least once in the back.
The cyclist was identified as Michael Mammone
Mammone died after being rear-ended by a white Lexus while traveling on Pacific Coast Highway in the Dana Point area.
The Orange County Fire Authority responded to a call of a bicyclist who had been struck by a car near Crown Valley Parkway and East Pacific Coast Highway around 3 p.m.
Mammone was taken to the hospital, where he died.
The suspect, later identified by authorities as Vanroy Evan Smith, 39, of Long Beach, was stopped by bystanders and later taken into custody where he was booked as a murder suspect.
A knife, believed to be the one from the attack, was recovered at the scene. The sheriff’s office has not yet disclosed whether a weapon was also recovered.
Authorities said there does not appear to be any link between the victim and the suspect.
Mammone had been working as an ER doctor at Providence Mission Hospital Laguna Beach since 2011.
The hospital said in a statement: ‘We are stunned by this devastating tragedy. The entire Mission Hospital family is grieving the loss of an incredible physician and friend. We will honor Dr. Mammone’s dedication to our community and his passion for medicine by continuing to provide exceptional care.’
The Orange County Fire Authority responded to a call of a bicyclist who had been struck by a car near Crown Valley Parkway and East Pacific Coast Highway around 3 p.m.
A knife, believed to be the one from the attack, was recovered at the scene. Authorities said there does not appear to be any link between the victim and the suspect.
Mission staff said he was an “incredible doctor.”
Mammome used to bike to work since she lived a few blocks away.
The incident occurred less than a mile from the hospital.
That’s the irony of this whole thing. If a patient was brought in in his condition, he would have done everything possible to save that person. He has saved so many lives here and he died very close to where he saved hundreds of lives,” said cardiologist Dr. Dawn Aatwal.
The Orange County attorney’s office said they are currently prosecuting about 70 vehicular death cases, some of which involve road rage, which appears to have increased since covid restrictions were lifted and people returned to driving.
Other bicyclists using the same stretch of Pacific Coast Highway agreed that the drivers seem less patient and angrier, LA Fox reports. They said the accident happened on a narrow section of Pacific Coast Highway, with little space for bikes and cars, adding that quite a few people have stopped biking in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-288-6740. You can remain anonymous by calling Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.