Callahan & Blaine

Bicyclist Michael Mammone died from his injuries after he was struck by a car, then was reportedly assaulted by the car’s driver on Wednesday in Dana Point.

According to police, the fatal bicycle crash and alleged assault happened around 3:00 p.m. when a white Lexus driven by Vanroy Smith (39) struck the cyclist who was northbound on the Pacific Coast Highway near Crown Valley Parkway. Reportedly, Smith then came back and proceeded to assault the bicyclist with a knife.

Vanroy Smith was reportedly detained by bystanders and held until police came and arrested the suspect. He was later booked into the Orange County Jain on suspicion of murder. A knife believed to be used in the assault was recovered at the scene.

The victim, Michael Mammone (56), was rushed to a local hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Police report that, at this stage of the investigation, it is not immediately clear whether the possible suspect and victim knew each other.

The identities of the victim and the person detained were not immediately made public. Information on a possible motive for the assault, if known by investigators, was also not immediately released.

Accidents like these often leave victims with the right to pursue a claim. As one of the leading catastrophic personal injury law firms in California, Callahan & Blaine has obtained numerous record-breaking verdicts and settlements in cases like this, helping bring some small justice to the aggrieved family. If you or someone you know has suffered a catastrophic injury or died as the result of an accident, contact the best personal injury attorneys in Orange County for expert legal counsel. Contact Callahan & Blaine if you believe you have a right to seek justice at (888) 894-1703.