Cyclist in Newport collision dies

A bicyclist who was critically injured in a Newport Beach traffic collision earlier this week died Wednesday, police said.

Debra H. Deem, 58, of Laguna Beach, was riding a bicycle west on East Coast Highway when she and a white minivan collided just east of Newport Coast Drive, according to a news release from the Newport Beach Police Department.

She was wearing a helmet but suffered major head trauma in the crash, said police, who received a call about the incident at 4:27 p.m. Tuesday.

Paramedics responded and transported Deem to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, according to police and Newport Beach fire Capt. Dan Chapman.

Deem succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital the next day, authorities said.

Police originally said the vehicle involved in the collision was a Toyota Prius but later stated it was the minivan.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, and officers did not issue any citations or take anyone into custody at the scene, Newport police Lt. Jay Short said.
— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck