Hit-and-run driver sought in death of Spanaway bicyclist

A bicyclist was struck by a car and killed in Spanaway early Saturday, and detectives are trying to find the driver.

The Pierce County medical examiner identified the bicyclist as Robert Lee Baysinger, 24.

Witnesses reported Baysinger was riding a mountain bike with no lights or reflectors in the middle of Spanaway Loop Road shortly before he was struck.

A passerby found Baysinger’s body about 2:45 a.m. Saturday in the 17100 block of Spanaway Loop Road. Several motorists stopped to help, and at least one performed CPR, but Baysinger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Residents reported hearing the collision, but nobody saw the involved vehicle.

Investigators reported no skid marks or signs that the car slowed before the collision.

Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said the driver definitely knew he or she hit someone head-on.

Baysinger was not wearing a helmet, and was drinking Friday night, Troyer said. A pair of damaged eyeglasses and a bag of cans for recycling were found at the scene.

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Hit-and-run driver sought in death of Spanaway bicyclist."