Cyclist killed in early morning crash

Joseph Paratore, forty and a father of two, was hit by a four wheel drive on North Lake Road in Bibra Lake on Tuesday morning about five twenty am. He died at the scene.

Driver arrested in nearby suburb

Police arrested Craig Daniel Strawbridge in Yangebup, eighteen kilometres south of the Perth CBD, more than twenty four hours after the crash. A white Toyota Prado believed to be involved was seized.

Strawbridge charged with two offences

Strawbridge has been charged with failing to stop and ensure assistance and failure to report an incident occasioning death. He faced Fremantle Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

Remanded in custody pending next hearing

Strawbridge nodded to indicate he understood the charges as they were read out. His lawyer did not apply for bail and he was remanded in custody to appear again next month.

Sixth cycling death in WA this year

Paratore's death marks the sixth cycling fatality in Western Australia this year, compared to an average of four a year. Friends described him as a larger than life character adored by the cycling community.

Cycling saved his life, now it took it

Jeff Grbelja, part of Paratore's cycling group, said Joseph embraced cycling to improve his health and live longer with his family. Grbelja said Paratore often told him cycling had saved his life.

“He often told me that cycling had saved his life. Those words are particularly heartbreaking now.”