Update: Bike rider killed in close pass on Mt. Baldy Road last Saturday

No name.

One lousy paragraph.

Evidently, that’s all the life of a Fontana cyclist is worth, as the Claremont Courier reports a bike rider was killed on Mt. Baldy Road last Saturday.

According to the paper, the 59-year old victim was riding south on Mt. Baldy Road near Evey Canyon around 7 am on Saturday, June 14th, when a 77-year old driver attempted to pass him. She hit him with the passenger side mirror of her SUV, knocking him to the ground with great force.

He died after being airlifted to USC Medical Center with severe head trauma. The paper notes that he suffered the injuries despite wearing a helmet, which suggests a significant impact.

No other information is available at this time, including the names of the victim and driver.

The collision is still under investigation. However, even without the new three-foot passing law going into effect until September, this would appear to be a clear case of unsafe passing at the very least.

This is the 46th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 19th in Los Angeles County.

Update: Comments from Cheryl and Sierra Ornelas identify the victim as Carlos Vasquez, who was riding with his son at the time of the collision.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Carlos Vasquez and his loved ones.

Thanks to Erik Griswold for the heads-up.

20 comments

  1. richard says:

    The maker of the SUV SHOULD FACE THE WRATH OF A JURY PROPERLY empowered to fine punitively for letting it be sold to such a driver’s skill and presence in such avoidably cavalierly lethal fashion. SUV costs little to make…is empty box but lenders loan a lot more to buyers creating the crack cocaine effect for factories/dealers. Only if each death costs them billionS will they knock It off.

  2. David says:

    They sometimes close that road to cars. Unfortunately not that time. Everyone has the right to get a driver’s license, but not everyone is skilled at driving. And the larger the vehicle, the less room for error. It’s easier to operate a small car than a Hummer.

    • richard says:

      We can shut down the factories even if all the hustled loot beyond them is already spent on child sex tourism etc by the engineers and CEO’s or we can keep blaming old ladies and need more and more body bags.

  3. Sadly this was not even the only buzz job this past week, a very similar wreck happened like this in OR.

  4. Robs Muir says:

    What is also strikingly odd is that it seems that almost no other news organization has reported this incident! Google searches are fruitless… I would like to know who was involved, more information about the circumstances, and what charges are to be filed against this driver. I ride this road all the time.

    Did this really happen?

    • bikinginla says:

      You’re right, I haven’t been able to find any other mention in the press. However, I did find a comment on a bio forum from a rider who rode past the scene and confirmed that someone had died, bit no other details.

      I’ll try calling the coroner’s office next week and see if I can get more information.

      • David says:

        There is always an official police report by the responding police agency that is a public document. Helpful to have the report number, but they should be able to locate it by date and description of location. Contact the records division for the police agency.

    • Cheryl says:

      Yes, tragically this is a true story. The cyclist name was Carlos Vazquez. The driver has been found 100% at fault for the accident but I am not sure if any charges have been filed.

    • Sierra Ornelas says:

      Yes this did happen. The victim was my grandfather Carlos Vazquez. He was cycling with my father when it happened. I’m sorry that your not satisfied with this article. If you like you can go to mt. Baldy and see the blood on the floor, and the blue circle that has marked the spot of where he landed after being ejected from his cannondale bicycle.

  5. Sierra Ornelas says:

    His name was Carlos Vazquez. He was a father and grandfather. He was cycling with his son.

    • Sierra Ornelas says:

      I’m his sons stepdaughter.

      • bikinginla says:

        Thank you both for the information.

        • Sierra Ornelas says:

          My pleasure. He died of blunt force trama to the head. His lungs where full of blood and there was a lot of pressure in his head. The doctors drilled a hole in his skull to release the pressure. Then they tapped his lung to release the blood that’s when he flat lined. He died within two hours of the accident. It took about 15 min for medical assistance to arrive.

  6. I was out of town the week this happened. Then last night at twilight I went up to Baldy to take a walk in Evey Canyon. Someone has placed a ‘ghost’ bicycle there to indicate that a cyclist died there. I am a cyclist. I lived in Baldy for six years. The attitude of non-cyclists who live there is ruthlessly unbending when it comes to sharing the road. I can’t believe that absolutely no one who lives in Baldy mentioned this death within their private email group. So, so sad. My condolences to all family members and friends of Carlos.

  7. Concerned says:

    As someone mentioned earlier. Why has there been no mention of this? Who was this woman? Was she charged with anything? RIP Carlos, our prayers are with you and your family.

  8. Cheryl says:

    The drivers name is Carol L. Sayles. The DA offered a plea deal which was accepted. She received 2 years summary probation, 2 years restricted driving privileges and 200 hours of community service. So watch out for the White Highlander SUV coming down Baldy Road.

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