Beer may have absorbed a bicyclist's fall during a hit-and-run collision, helping to save his life.

Just before 8 p.m. Thursday, a man riding his bike was hit by a car near the corner of Pomerado Road and Caminito Vecinos in Rancho Bernardo.

The impact demolished the back end of the bicycle and threw the cyclist nearly 60 feet according to police.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, was not wearing a helmet. He suffered injuries to his head and back but is expected to survive.

According to officers, the cyclist was wearing a backpack of beer when he was hit and that likely helped absorb the fall, thereby saving the man's life.

"The saving grace for him, he was wearing a backpack. He had a number of beverages within the backpack. It probably absorbed the impact," said Sgt. Art Doherty with San Diego police.

The driver of the car took off. A few small parts of the car were left on the scene. Officers have no witnesses. Someone found the man lying on the street and called 911.

The cyclist was traveling within the bike lane but was apparently riding without a light, according to police. However, officers said the car was definitely in violation by entering the bike lane and striking a bicycle riding in that bike lane.

"The person who struck this cyclist should've remained at the scene," said Doherty.