

Witnesses say a man purposefully ran over and killed a cyclist this morning near USC.

A 35-year-old man was killed while riding his bike on Vermont Avenue near W. 39th Place around 9 a.m., ABC 7 reports.

A witness told ABC 7 that the cyclist tried to cross the street at a time when the driver had the right-of-way. The two got into a verbal argument that quickly escalated.

"The man that was driving pushed him off the bike and he shouted, 'Shut up before I run you over,' and he ran him over and kept going," the witness said.

Police say the driver was in a full-size, light colored SUV with a possibly damaged mirror on the driver's side. They believe that he turned left onto W. 39th Place from Vermont.

Anyone with information should contact the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.