Intentional hit and run sends cyclist to hospital in serious condition, police say

A cyclist is in serious condition after what police describe as an intentional hit and run in the city's southeast on Wednesday.

The Calgary Police Service said in a release that a man and a woman were cycling northbound on Forest Road S.E. at around 12:30 p.m. At the same time, a red Ram pickup truck was parked northbound in the 200 block of Forest Road S.E.

Police say that when the two cyclists approached the intersection at Forest Way S.E., the truck turned around and travelled southbound onto Forest Road toward the cyclists.

The woman was hit by the pickup truck in the centre of the intersection. The other cyclist was able to avoid the truck.

The woman was taken in life-threatening condition to hospital, where she remains in serious condition.

Police say the driver fled the scene in the pickup but was located at around 7:15 p.m. after police identified the vehicle with help from security camera footage and witnesses.

The man believed to have been the driver at the time of the collision was taken into custody but has since been released without charge, pending further investigation.

It is believed the woman and the suspect knew each other, police said.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.