Collision turns into attack by bicyclist, police say

A bicyclist used a glass bottle to attack a driver in Newport Beach on Tuesday afternoon after the two crashed into each other, according to authorities.

The two collided when the driver was backing out of a parking space on 32nd Street near Balboa Boulevard while the bicycle rider was passing by, police said.

When the driver and a friend approached the biker, he “became agitated,” punched the driver and hit him with the bottle, Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said.

The attacker then hopped back on his bike and fled, according to police.

Officers responded but couldn’t find the cyclist, who was last seen near 39th Street around 3:30 p.m., Manzella said.

The victim suffered minor cuts and lip swelling, police said.

Detectives did not immediately have a suspect description available.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck