Cold case: Ceres police investigators seek tips in deadly hit-and-run

Investigators on Wednesday asked the public to help solve a cold case involving the death of a 47-year-old man who was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Ceres.

Ceres Police Department traffic investigators re-opened the 2003 cold case investigation into the death of Ceres resident Charles Philyaw, according to a department news release.

The deadly hit-and-run incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2003. Philyaw was riding the bike north on Railroad Avenue near Central Avenue, just west of Highway 99.

Witnesses told police a 1990s 4-door white Chevrolet Malibu with tinted windows also was heading north and hit Philyaw. Police said the car immediately sped away from the scene, turning west onto Kinser Road.

Investigators did not have a description of the car's driver.

Ceres police officials asked anyone with information about this fatal hit-and-run to call Officer Ortiz at (209) 538-5678 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can email through the Crime Stoppers website, www.stancrimetips.org. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Cold case: Ceres police investigators seek tips in deadly hit-and-run."