Newhall Man Fighting for Life After Bicycle Hit-Run Accident

SANTA CLARITA — A 79-year-old Newhall man was fighting for his life Friday night after he was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident while riding his bicycle, authorities said.

The man was riding north across Lyons Avenue just east of Avenida Rotella about 2:40 p.m. when he was struck by a maroon GMC pickup truck traveling west, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Wells.

The driver of the truck fled, but was sighted about five minutes later by a sheriff’s deputy who pulled him over on San Fernando Road near 15th Street. Two witnesses to the accident were driven to where the truck was stopped and identified the driver as the same one involved in the hit-and-run crash, Wells said.

Grady Jessup, 33, of Saugus, was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run and driving while under the influence of alcohol, both felonies, Wells said. If the victim does not survive, Jessup would probably face a vehicular manslaughter charge, he added.

The injured bicyclist was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. He suffered a skull fracture, leg injuries and a possible broken neck, authorities said. The man underwent surgery Friday night, Wells said.