AUGUSTA — Police are investigating an apparent hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist Friday on Ward Road.

Augusta Police Lt. Kevin Lully said Gary Lacasse, 50, of Augusta died at the scene of the crash that occurred around 1:15 p.m. A passerby found him lying underneath his bicycle at the Hayes Road intersection. Lully believes Lacasse was discovered moments after the crash. He was unconscious but breathing when he was first discovered but died shortly after.

Lacasse, who was not wearing a helmet, was injured in the crash and did not simply suffer from a medical condition.

There were no vehicles in the area when the passerby discovered Lacasse.

“Right now, we’re treating it as a hit and run,” Lully said. “We can’t confirm for sure until we get information from the medical examiner’s office whether there was an accident or not.”

Lully said it could be a few days before the medical examiner’s ruling.

He said Lacasse was headed south on Ward Road when the accident occurred.

“It appears he was just out for his daily bike ride,” Lully said. “He was on his way back home.”

If there was a vehicle involved, it was likely headed south too, Lully said.

Augusta police detectives and the state medical examiner went to the scene. Maine State Police reconstructed the crash.

Lully asked anyone with information about the accident to call him at 626-2370, ext. 3404.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642

ccrosby@mainetoday.com