Police said a 19-year-old bicyclist struck in a hit-and-run Sunday has died.
William Villavicencio, of Silver Spring, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries Sunday night after he was struck by a driver who left the scene in the area of Georgia Avenue and Janet Road in Wheaton, according to the Montgomery County Police Department.
Villavicencio died Friday morning, police said during a press conference. Police are looking for a dark red or maroon car, possibly a 2003-2007 Honda Accord, with damage to the front right bumper and a missing right side view mirror.
Police ask anyone with information to call Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives at (240) 773-6620 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers can be anonymous. Up to $10,000 is offered for information about the vehicle or driver.
During the press conference, Assistant Chief Marc Yamada said police reach out to repair shops as thoroughly as possible, but the vehicle may not be local in cases like this one.
“We’re right in the middle of Baltimore, D.C., P.G., Anne Arundel, this vehicle could be anywhere,” he said, so police are relying on the community and getting information out almost statewide to see if leads develop.
Villavicencio’s family attended the press conference. The family’s pastor, Paula Moutsos of Pathways Baptist Church in Gaithersburg, spoke on their behalf. She said Villavicencio was looking forward to his 20th birthday in December.
“William was a happy young man, searching to find his way like most 19-year-olds,” Moutsos said.
She implored anyone with information to come forward.
“This was a son of a single mom who’s raised three boys. He was loved, he was a person and this should not have happened.”
