By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos cyclist Andy Nunn remains hospitalized in Los Alamos Medical Center after being the victim of a hit and run crime Monday afternoon on N.M. 4 between mile markers 52 and 53, about a half mile east of the Inter-Agency Fire Station.
Nunn spoke with the Los Alamos Daily Post this morning explaining that he does not remember much of anything about being hit because the impact knocked him out cold.
“The next thing I remember is talking to the EMTs in the back of the ambulance … although I was still fuzzy for about another hour after that,” Nunn said.
He sustained a fractured L2 vertebrae, bruised ribs, a deep wound on his elbow and much road rash.
His friend and fellow Pajarito Riders cyclist Brett Kettering told the Post today that he and another friend Brandon Hill were riding their bikes with Nunn at about noon Monday when the driver of a pickup struck Nunn, sending him and his bike flying through the air more than 100 feet up the road, and knocking Hill to the ground.
“The driver of the truck never hit his brakes and sped away,” Kettering said. “The pickup was white and appeared to be part of some fleet, as it had writing on its tailgate and a yellow warning light on its cab.”
Kettering added that many parts from the truck were scattered around the scene.
Nunn’s wife Natalie told the Post this morning that no one should hit someone and then just leave them there and drive away.
“I would love to plead with the community … somebody saw him … somebody saw something,” she said. “We really need to find this person … we were very lucky but if this happens to someone else … they might not be so lucky.”
Nunn has been receiving emails indicating that people are out looking for the hit and run driver.
“It seems to me that all of the cyclists are aware of what happened and are looking for this driver based on all of the emails I have received,” he said.
The Los Alamos Police Department also issued a news release Monday asking for the public’s assistance in locating the white GM smaller style pickup involved in this hit and run. Police said the truck will have damage to its front hood.
Police recommend this driver report right away to the Los Alamos Police Department, and said that L.A. Crime-stoppers is offering up to a $500 reward for information that leads to the identification of the vehicle and/or driver.
Police indicate that this is the third hit and run crime against a cyclist on N.M. 4. Motorists are urged to always proceed with caution and be aware of cyclists on the roadway.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call L.A. Crime-stoppers at 505.662.8282.