ID of victim made in cyclist’s death case

Published 6:03 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Port Arthur police have confirmed the identity of a cyclist who was fatally struck by a vehicle that left the scene last week.

The victim was Richard Waite, 76.

He had been described only as a 76-year-old white male who was homeless, according to police. Police had declined to release his name until the next of kin was notified.

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Police were called just before 7 p.m. Dec. 20 to the 2300 block of Memorial Boulevard where they found the victim lying off the roadway. Evidence showed that a vehicle was traveling north and the victim was riding a bicycle across the highway.

The vehicle struck him and the driver then fled the scene. The man was brought to a local hospital but died from his injuries.

Port Arthur Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Advanced Accident Team responded and are assisting with the investigation.

The driver of the vehicle will face criminal charges for failure to stop and render aid.