Bicyclist killed by car in Palm Desert identified

A 51-year-old bicyclist was struck and killed by a vehicle early Saturday in Palm Desert, authorities said.

The crash happened at 2:18 a.m. on the westbound side of Hovley Lane, between Corporate Way and Portola Avenue, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The 2002 silver Porsche that hit the bicyclist was driven by Thomas Karl Doczi, 60, of Rancho Mirage, sheriff’s department officials said.

The bicyclist, identified by the coroner’s office as Todd Barajas of Bermuda Dunes, died at the scene, authorities said.

Alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, according to the sheriff’s department, which reported that Doczi was being held on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.

The incident is under investigation.