Driver mows down biking doctor before stabbing him to death on PCH: cops

A California driver mowed down a doctor taking an afternoon bike ride — before getting out of his Lexus and stabbing him to death, law enforcement officials said.

Michael Mammone, 58, was riding in the bike lane on the Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point around 3 p.m. Wednesday when a driver slammed into him from behind, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

The crash “launched” Mammone into the Crown Valley Parkway intersection, Sgt. Mike Woodruff told KCAL.


Michael Mammone
Michael Mammone was an emergency room doctor at Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach.
KTLA 5 News

Mammone, 58, was riding in the bike lane on the Pacific Coast Highway when a driver allegedly slammed into him from behind.
Mammone, 58, was riding in the bike lane on the Pacific Coast Highway when a driver allegedly slammed into him from behind.
KTTV

Vanroy Evan Smith, 39, got out of his white Lexus brandishing a knife and began assaulting Mammone, an emergency room doctor at Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach, police said.

Witnesses said Smith was also holding a BB gun as he approached the injured Mammone before he began stabbing him.

By the time law enforcement arrived, bystanders had leaped into action and detained Smith. He was booked on suspicion of murder.

A picture of the car that ran over someone.
Vanroy Evan Smith allegedly hit Mammone with his car before stabbing him to death.
KTTV

A picture of the car that ran over someone.
Witnesses said Smith was also holding a BB gun as he approached Mammone before stabbing him.
KTTV


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A picture of the car that ran over someone.
By the time law enforcement arrived, bystanders had leaped into action and detained Smith.
KTTV

Law enforcement investigating at the scene of the crime.
Law enforcement investigating at the scene where the crash occurred.
KTTV


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Police at the scene where a man was run over and stabbed to death.
Police found the murder weapon at the scene, and booked Smith on suspicion of murder
KTTV

The knife he allegedly wielded was found at the scene.

Mammone, who was lying on the highway suffering from “severe injuries,” was taken to the hospital, where he died.


Intersection of Crown Valley Parkway and the Pacific Coast Highway.
The crash “launched” Mammone into the Crown Valley Parkway intersection, Sgt. Mike Woodruff told the news.
KTLA 5 News

A picture of the bike that a man was on before being run over and stabbed to death.
Mammone was pronounced dead at the hospital after suffering from severe injuries, according to police.
KTTV

Police said the men did not appear to know each other.

“As of right now we currently don’t truly understand the why … as far as motivation and any type of relationship,” Woodruff told KTLA.

“Investigators are keeping all options open to check those boxes, if you will, to make sure they don’t leave anything uncovered.”