Fleeing bicyclist hit by truck, but still eludes Sutter deputies

Sutter County sheriff's deputies are puzzled over a bizarre incident on Friday night that probably should have resulted in at least one injury.

A man, described only as a Hispanic male adult, was fleeing from deputies on a bicycle around 9 p.m. in the 1300 block of Franklin Road when he darted out into the roadway and was struck by a pickup, authorities said.

It was not clear why deputies initially tried to stop the bicyclist.

The collision sent the man into the air. He landed about 15 feet away from the truck, but quickly got back up, Sgt. Dan Butler said.

Butler said the man gestured angrily toward the truck's driver, then got back on his bicycle and peddled away as fast as he could.

Deputies couldn't be sure if the man was injured or not.

"But, the way he was running, it didn't seem like he was hurt," Butler said.

The man then rode the bicycle into a fence behind Winco Foods.

He ditched the bike, climbed over the fence and was last seen running east across Highway 99.

"We have no idea why he was running," Butler said.

Minor damage to the truck's headlights and bumper was reported.

Anyone with information regarding the man's whereabouts or identity is asked to call the Sutter County Sheriff's Department at 822-7307.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.