Authorities are searching for a driver who struck and killed an 18-year-old Escondido man as he rode his bike on a Rancho Santa Fe road early Friday morning.

The fatality in the 16900 block of Via De La Valle was reported just after 2 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol and San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

The cyclist, identified as Angel Bojorquez, died at the scene, according to the medical examiner's Office.

There was little evidence at the scene of the crash just south of Paseo Delicias and no known witnesses, but investigators believed Bojorquez was been hit by a vehicle driven by a motorist who then fled, CHP Sgt. Matt Booth told reporters.

10News learned Bojorquez lived with his brother and their aunt in Escondido and worked at an Albertsons grocery store in Del Mar, the medical examiner's office reported. Authorities said Bojorquez was on his way home from work when he was struck.

"He was only 18 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him," said the victim's brother, Steve Bojorquez.

The elder Bojorquez said he normally would drive his brother to work, but on Thursday the two got in an argument.

"He was actually upset with me and he didn't really want me to pick him up," said Bojorquez. "I kept asking him, but he didn't want to. He wanted to ride his bike."

Yarlenny Ramirez, the victim's cousin, said the Angel Bojorquez was funny and was working hard to get his GED.

"I had faith in him that one day he was going to get his act together and he was going to go back to school and be someone in life," Ramirez said.

Late Friday, family members placed balloons near the site where Bojorquez' body was found. They were considering a memorial sometime this weekend, according to a cousin.

Ramirez urged the driver who struck Bojorquez to do the right thing.

"I really hope they come forward, because it's better if they just turn themselves in instead of living with this guilt," she said.

Bojorquez's mountain bike had no lights on it, but he was wearing a reflective vest, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The CHP is examining pieces of glass left in the road to see if they can be traced to a make and model of the driver's car. Investigators believe the glass came from the right front headlight of the car that hit Bojorquez.

They are urging anyone with information about that vehicle or the driver to call the CHP.
Albertsons officials released the following statement regarding Bojorquez's death:

"Last night, a tragic accident occurred involving one of our store associates. All of us at Albertsons are saddened by this loss and we extend our deepest sympathy to the associate's family. We are working to provide support to store associates in light of this incident and also ask that the privacy of our associates be respected during this extraordinarily difficult time."