Beloved dad and avid cyclist identified as victim of Bibra Lake hit-and-run

October 21, 2026 — 2:01pm

The victim of a hit-and-run incident in Bibra Lake on Tuesday morning has been identified as a father and husband who had recently taken part in a charity cycling event to raise funds for cancer research.

Joseph Paratore, 40, was riding his bike on North Lake Road, south of the intersection with Sobek Pass when he was hit by a vehicle at 5.20am, police said.

He died at the scene as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash.

The driver allegedly failed to stop and is now the subject of a police search.

On Wednesday, Detective Senior Sergeant Hugh Le Tessier said police were searching for a white Toyota Prado that will be missing a wing mirror.

“As inquiries have progressed, investigators have identified that between 5.10am and 5.30 am, the Prado travelled north along North Lake Road from the vicinity of Hammond Road in the lead-up to the incident.

“After the incident, the vehicle turned left into Phoenix Road, right into Sudlow Road, and left again onto Forrest Road.

“Anyone who witnessed the crash, or who saw the car, or who has dashcam, mobile phone, or CCTV footage of the car travelling on those roads between 5.10 and 5.30, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Le Tessier said the vehicle can be seen on CCTV footage travelling at high speed at the time of the crash.

He urged the driver to come forward.

“Come forward, identify yourself, come forward, provide an explanation as to what happened, and we’re quite open to listen to that explanation,” he said.

“The decent thing is to come forward. The family want answers. This is a purely innocent victim that has lost their life, and I think it’s just the right thing for the driver to come forward.”

This is the sixth fatality of a cyclist on WA roads this year.

Paratore was the general manager of Hope Valley business, Southern Steel WA, and the father of two young children.

“He was always there for his people; always leaned in; would go the extra mile daily to make sure people were ok. A man who loved his family, particularly his children,” a friend said.

Westcycle spokesman Wayne Bradshaw said the death was a tragedy for the cycling community.

“It’s a tragic outcome for the family, it’s a tragic outcome for the community and for someone not to take responsibility for their actions is abhorrent,” he told 9 News Perth.

Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said her thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim, before adding that the state government was always looking at ways to improve road safety for vulnerable users.

“When you look in particular at the serious injury data for the state, I’m always very focused on the vulnerable road user which is the cyclist, the pedestrian, and what we can do more to support their safety,” she said.

“We introduced the one-metre rule in relation to requiring drivers to give a one-metre allowance, so to be one metre away from cyclists. But we continually have a look at things that we can do to support the safety of what we call vulnerable road users on our road.”

A spokesperson for the MACA cancer 200 ride said it was “heartbreaking” to lose a member of their community.

“It is with profound sadness that we have learned a member of the MACA cancer 200 ride for the Perkins community was involved a tragic road incident yesterday,” the spokesperson said.

“Our hearts go out to his family, friends, team mates and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

“The MACA cancer 200 brings together a close-knit community of people united by a shared purpose. To lose someone from this community is deeply heartbreaking.”

Police urge anyone who saw the crash to contact Crime Stoppers online at
www.crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000.

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