Cyclist dies after hitting curb

A small memorial with flowers has been placed at the site where a Costa Mesa man was killed after his bicycle hit the curb and he was ejected on a steep curve in Laguna Beach at 11:05 a.m. Sunday.

Mark Leones, 28, was in a group of six to seven cyclists coming down Park Aveune near Thurston Middle School, said Cpl. D. McGill, who investigated the incident for the Laguna Beach Police Department.

“He lost control going downhill, hit the curb and was ejected from the bicycle,� McGill said. “He then hit the back of his head and chest.�

Two of his fellow riders witnessed the accident.

Leones was transported to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo’s trauma center, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined he died from blunt force trauma.

Road conditions were not a factor, McGill said. The scenic, steep boulevard is a popular site for cycling and skateboarding. Leones was coming out of a curve when he apparently lost control. No other cyclists or vehicles were involved in the incident.

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