13-year old boy killed while walking his bike in Boyle Heights

Somehow, I missed this one.

La Opinion reports that a 13-year old boy was killed when he was hit by a car in Boyle Heights on Monday.

According to the Spanish language newspaper, the collision occurred near the intersection of Sheridan and Cummings Streets while he was walking his bike. KCBS-2 places the time of the collision around 7:50 pm; both sources say he died about four hours later.

The driver remained at the scene. No other details about the collision are available at this time, though KCBS says the car “slammed” into the boy, suggesting a relatively high-speed impact.

The victim was identified by La Opinion as Chris Rodriguez, described as a cheerful boy who frequently rode his bike around the neighborhood.

An altar with flowers and a helium balloon had appeared at the site by morning; the paper reports family members gathered around it, weeping inconsolably.

Adding to the tragedy, Rodriguez’ father had asked him not to go out that night, but the boy went out for what would be his last ride anyway.

Speeding cars make the intersection dangerous for children riding their bikes and skateboards, according to people in the neighborhood, who say a simple speed limit sign might have made a difference.

This is the eighth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth in the County of Los Angeles; it’s also the first in the City of LA. That compares to 25 in the seven-county Southern California region this time last year, and 13 in the county.

As those numbers suggest, this has been one of the safest years in memory for SoCal cyclists so far.

But as this tragedy reminds us, even one death is one too many.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Chris Rodriguez and all his family. 

Thanks to LA Streetsblog‘s Joe Linton and Sahra Sulaiman for the heads-up.

7 comments

  1. JD says:

    We offer up our prayers for the family and friends or young Mr. Rodriguez.

  2. David Wolfberg says:

    I get that this was “near” the intersection, so these observations may have no bearing on what happened here, but I noticed two things from the street view:
    1) Sheridan has speed bumps. 2) No stop sign where Cummings ends in a T at Sheridan???

    • David Wolfberg says:

      The lack of a stop sign struck me as unusual but now other places are coming to mind where this is the case. The others I can think of are very short connector streets.

      • bikinginla says:

        I had questioned how drivers speed on a street with speed bumps, but as you note, there’s nothing to slow drivers down coming off Cummings.

        • Brother innocent says:

          This report says he was walking his bike, as the video that was taken from nearby house, shows different. HE WAS ON HIS BIKE COMING OPPOSITE DIRECTION.. RIDING HIS BIKE AGAIN RIDING HIS BIKE!!!! why do you thing the driver wasnt charged!!!Yes the driver of car was speeding, disregarding speed bump as most car do there on sheridan st. The child going in different direction on a FIXIE with NO BRAKES is to blame, as much as it saddens me to see a life of a teen gone, He was the blame on how he was riding his bike.Not just this kid but alot of teens their in that community ride on the streets thinking they are stronger than vehicles and for some reason their parents are the blame knowing of the dangers these bikes bring to the table.

  3. TWC says:

    heartbreaking.

  4. SNUGGIE says:

    May the lord bring comfort and strength to your family and help you heal that horrible pain your going tru. He is know in a better place ridding free of danger,he will look and guard the sibblings left behind. Look at him as your guardian ANGEL. MAY his soul and spirit REAST IN PEACE.

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