AUGUSTA – Police are investigating an apparent hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist Friday.

Augusta police Lt. Kevin Lully said Gary Lacasse, 50, of Augusta died at the scene of the crash around 1:15 p.m. A passer-by found him lying under his bicycle at the intersection of Hayes and Ward roads.

Lully said he believes Lacasse was discovered moments after the crash. He was unconscious but breathing when he was found, but died shortly after that.

Lacasse was not wearing a helmet. There were no vehicles in the area when the passer-by discovered him.

“Right now we’re treating it as a hit-and-run,” Lully said. “We can’t confirm for sure until we get information from the Medical Examiner’s Office whether there was an accident or not.”

Lully said it could be a few days before the medical examiner rules.

He said Lacasse was riding south on Ward Road when the crash occurred.

“It appears he was just out for his daily bike ride,” Lully said. “He was on his way back home.”

If a vehicle was involved, it was likely going south, as well, Lully said.

Augusta detectives and the medical examiner went to the scene. Maine State Police reconstructed the crash.

Lully asked anyone with information about the crash to call him at 626-2370, extension 3404.

Kennebec Journal Staff Writer Craig Crosby can be contacted at 621-5642 or at:

ccrosby@mainetoday.com