How Did Joseph Paratore Die in a Hit-and-Run While Cycling in Bibra Lake, Perth?

Quick answer: Joseph Paratore, a 40-year-old father of two from Perth, was killed when a vehicle struck him on North Lake Road in Bibra Lake at about 5.20am on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The driver did not stop, and WA Police are hunting a white Toyota 4WD with a missing mirror.

Key facts

• Who: Joseph Paratore, 40
• Where: North Lake Road, Bibra Lake, Perth WA, south of the Sobek Pass intersection
• When: about 5.20am on Tuesday 20 October 2026 (police believe the incident happened between 5.10am and 5.30am)
• What: a suspected hit-and-run crash; Paratore died at the scene
• Vehicle sought: a white Toyota 4WD with a missing mirror, seen on CCTV travelling at high speed
• Emergency number: 000 (Australia)
• Status: police appeal ongoing; the driver has not been identified

What happened

Paratore was cycling along North Lake Road in Bibra Lake in the early hours of Tuesday morning when he was struck by a vehicle. He died at the scene. The driver failed to stop and left him on the road.

WA Police say the crash happened between 5.10am and 5.30am. North Lake Road is a major arterial through the southern Perth suburb of Bibra Lake, and the crash site sits south of the Sobek Pass intersection.

The police investigation

The investigation is being led by Detective Senior Sergeant Hugh Le Tessier. Police have released CCTV footage showing a white Toyota 4WD travelling at high speed in the area around the time of the crash. The vehicle is described as having a missing mirror, which may help identify it.

Police say that after the incident, the vehicle turned left into Phoenix Road, then right into Sudlow Road, before turning left again.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 5.10am and 5.30am on Tuesday morning — including drivers with dashcam footage and residents or businesses with CCTV — to come forward. Information can be given to Crime Stoppers WA on 1800 333 000.

The victim

Paratore was a 40-year-old father of two and a keen cyclist who had recently taken part in a charity cycling event raising money for cancer research. He was the general manager of Southern Steel WA in Hope Valley. Tributes have described him as a beloved dad and avid cyclist.

Cyclist deaths in Western Australia

Paratore's death is the sixth cyclist fatality on WA roads in 2026, underlining the continuing danger for bike riders on Perth's arterial roads. Cycling advocates have long called for better separation between cyclists and motor traffic on major routes.

What happens next

WA Police are continuing to hunt for the driver of the white 4WD and have urged anyone with information, dashcam footage or CCTV from North Lake Road on Tuesday morning to contact Crime Stoppers WA on 1800 333 000. The cause of the crash and the identity of the driver remain under investigation.

*This report is compiled from verified reporting by WAtoday (Rebecca Peppiatt, 21 October 2026). Figures may change as police release more information.*

Frequently asked questions

Who was Joseph Paratore?

Joseph Paratore was a 40-year-old Perth father of two who was killed while cycling on North Lake Road in Bibra Lake on 20 October 2026. He was a keen cyclist who had recently ridden in a charity event raising funds for cancer research, and he worked as general manager of Southern Steel WA in Hope Valley.

Where did the Bibra Lake hit-and-run happen?

On North Lake Road in Bibra Lake, south of Perth, just south of the Sobek Pass intersection. Police say the crash happened at about 5.20am on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

What vehicle are police looking for?

A white Toyota 4WD with a missing mirror. CCTV shows the vehicle travelling at high speed in the area around the time of the crash. After the incident it was seen turning left into Phoenix Road, right into Sudlow Road, and then left again.

How can witnesses help the investigation?

Anyone who was on or near North Lake Road between 5.10am and 5.30am on Tuesday 20 October, or who has dashcam or CCTV footage of the area, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers WA on 1800 333 000.

Is this the first cyclist death in WA this year?

No. Joseph Paratore's death is the sixth cyclist fatality on Western Australian roads in 2026.