Crash puts bicyclist in intensive care

A 40-year-old man hit by an alleged drunk driver while bicycling this weekend in Newport Beach remained in critical condition Sunday evening, authorities said.

Shawn Meruelo of Newport Beach was struck by a Jeep near Superior Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway at around 3 p.m. Saturday. He was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana after suffering a major head wound, police said.

The Jeep’s driver, Jonathon Andrew Purdy, 32, of Irvine, was northbound on Superior when his Jeep veered into the bike lane, police said. According to police, Purdy fled but was tracked down by police in a helicopter.

Purdy was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and might face other charges, police said.

Police reported Meruelo was still in intensive care Sunday evening.

Last month, 31-year-old teacher Candace Tift was killed when a driver jumped the curb with her car and hit Tift while bicycling on a sidewalk of West Coast Highway in Newport Beach.