California doctor, 58, cycling on Pacific Coast Highway is mowed down by a Lexus and then stabbed to death by the driver: Attacker restrained by horrified bystanders
- Dr. Michael Mammone was struck by a car then stabbed on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point at 3pm on Wednesday
- The suspect, Vanroy Evan Smith, 39, was booked on suspicion of murder
A doctor cycling on the Pacific Coast Highway was mown down by a Lexus and then stabbed to death by the driver, who was then restrained by bystanders.
The cyclist, later identified as Michael Mammone, 58, was struck from behind by a white Lexus on the Pacific Coast Highway in the Dana Point area in Orange County on Wednesday.
After the crash, the Lexus driver got out of his car and stabbed the cyclist in the back in front of horrified bystanders, leaving him lying on the highway with severe injuries.
The suspect, later identified by authorities as Vanroy Evan Smith, 39, of Long Beach, was detained by bystanders and then taken into custody where he was booked on suspicion of murder. Mammone was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Dr Michael Mammone was hit by a white Lexus while cycling along the Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County, southern California at 3pm on Wednesday. The driver, who a witness said was carrying a BB gun, got out of the car and stabbed Mammone
Mammone was struck from behind by a white Lexus on the Pacific Coast Highway in the Dana Point area on Wednesday. The driver then got out of the car and stabbed the doctor to death
Witnesses said the suspect was holding a BB gun as he approached the cyclist before stabbing him.
A knife, believed to be the one from the attack, was recovered at the scene. The sheriff’s office has not yet revealed if a gun was also recovered.
Footage showed Mammone’s mangled mountain bike and the shattered windshield and damaged front of the car.
The Orange County Fire Authority responded to a call of a cyclist being hit by a car near Crown Valley Parkway and East Pacific Coast Highway at around 3pm.
Officials said there appears to be no 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 over the loss of an incredible physician and friend. We will honor Dr. Mammone’s dedication to our community and passion for medicine by continuing to provide exceptional care.’
Mission staff said he was an ‘amazing doctor’.
Mammome would frequently ride his bike to work, because he lived just a few blocks away.
The incident took place less than a mile away from the hospital.
‘That’s the irony of this whole thing. If a patient was brought in his condition, he would have done everything he could 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 Doctor Dawn Aatwal.
Pictured: The white Lexus that rammed into the cyclist. After the crash, the Lexus driver exited his car and stabbed the cyclist in the back in front of horrified bystanders, leaving him lying on the highway with severe injuries
The Orange County Fire Authority responded to a call of a cyclist being hit by a car near Crown Valley Parkway and East Pacific Coast Highway at around 3 pm
The Orange County DA’s Office said they are currently prosecuting close to 70 cases of vehicular death, with quite a few involving road rage, which seems to have risen since Covid restrictions were lifted and people returned to driving.
Other cyclists using the same stretch of Pacific Coast Highway agreed that drivers seem less patient and angrier, Fox LA reports. They said the crash occurred on a narrow part of Pacific Coast Highway, with little room for bicycles and cars, adding that quite a few people have stopped cycling in the area.
Anyone with information is urged 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.