BATON ROUGE — On Saturday evening, 30-year-old bicyclist Aaron Augustus Jr. was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash along the Mohican-Prescott Crossover, near Beechwood Drive — a tragedy that has sent shockwaves through his community.
According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, the collision occurred at approximately 9:38 p.m., as Augustus was riding east along the road. Police believe the unknown vehicle involved was also traveling east, a conclusion supported by damage to the rear end of the bicycle.
Witnesses say the driver — and a passenger — briefly stopped after the crash, but then fled the scene without calling 911 or helping Augustus.
First responders arrived within minutes and rushed Augustus to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Family, friends and neighbors remember Augustus as a kind, hardworking man who often used his bicycle as his daily mode of transportation. For them, this loss feels utterly preventable — a life taken because someone chose to run instead of help.
Baton Rouge Police Department is urging anyone with information — no matter how small — to come forward: a vehicle description, an odd noise heard that night, or anything that seems out of place could help identify the driver and passenger who fled.
In the wake of the tragedy, community leaders and safety advocates are renewing calls for greater protection for cyclists: better lighting on busy roads, dedicated bike lanes, and more awareness among motorists about cyclists’ vulnerability — especially at night.
As the investigation continues, many in Baton Rouge are united in grief, sorrow, and a hopeful plea for accountability. The memory of Aaron Augustus Jr. now stands as a powerful reminder of the need for safer streets, compassion, and responsibility behind the wheel.
