On February 1, 2026, at approximately 6:49 p.m., a Hemet Police officer was on patrol when he observed a collision that had just occurred at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Hamilton Avenue. The officer immediately stopped and discovered that a vehicle and a bicyclist were both involved in the collision. The bicyclist was found in the roadway suffering from major injuries. The Officer initiated life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived. Despite those efforts, the bicyclist later succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Hemet Police Department Traffic Bureau responded and assumed the investigation. Preliminary findings indicate the bicyclist was attempting to cross Florida Avenue when they rode directly in front of a delivery truck that was traveling westbound on Florida Avenue. After the collision occurred, the driver of the truck remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. Impaired driving is not suspected, and the identity of the bicyclist is being withheld pending family notification. Florida Avenue was closed between Western Avenue and Elk Street for several hours while investigators processed the scene. The roadway was reopened at approximately 11:30 p.m. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact Corporal Coley at (951) 765-2400, referencing file number #2026-00837.