Update: Bike rider dies following wrong way collision in Boyle Heights last week

Word is just coming in that another bike rider has died after being hospitalized following a collision.

Last week EGP News reported that a bike rider had undergone surgery after suffering major injuries while riding in Boyle Heights.

The victim was riding against traffic on westbound Fourth Street near South Mission Road around 10:15 pm on Monday, October 12th when he was hit head-on; the driver remained at the scene.

An email from his niece identifies the victim as Adolfo “J.R.” Haro. The family just learned of the collision and his death because he was not carrying identification.

She also reports the driver was speeding.

A vigil will be held and a ghost bike installed at 6:30 tonight.

This is the 61st bicycling fatality in Southern California, and the 23rd in Los Angeles County; it’s also the 10th bicycling death in the City of Los Angeles.

Update: An LAPD officer reports that Haro was walking his bike in the streets against traffic, rather than riding, even though there was a sidewalk he could have been using.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Adolfo “J.R.” Haro and his family.

Thanks to Danny Gamboa for the heads-up.

5 comments

  1. Nina says:

    I was the driver. It happend at 4th St. and Anderson St. on Los Angeles River Bridge. I am deeply sorry for Mr. Haro.. I am not trying to justify myself but I think I was speeding cause I was going a little faster than other vehicles. I believe I was driving at below 45 miles. It was curved road and Mr. Haro did not have any lights and reflectors and wearing dark clothes. I did not see him as I curved the road. Believe me, my life is not the same. As I live through my life it will always in my heart and my mind and I will continue to think about it. I did not know he died until my insurance agent called me on 10/28/2015. I stop by at the police station on 10/21/2015 and police told me he is in serious condition but he will make it. Everyone tells me that it wasn’t my fault but that is not important. What happened, happened and I wish I could turn back the time so Mr. Haro is live and I will be living my normal life. I keep asking myself what if, what if… I am sorry Mr. Haro. I must done something bad to you in our past life. I never seen you but I will not forget you. RIP Mr. Haro.

  2. Nina says:

    I went to accident site over and over.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0421191,-118.2255849,3a,75y,270h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saOlOUkQEXnE-40SHI5cowA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

    It is hard to see you when you are riding a bicycle without any light and wearing dark clothes. I am sorry. I did not see you. I am sorry you died and I am live, eating and doing my activities but I am not the same.
    Please I want to and have to live my life, too.
    I am sorry.

    If anyone is reading this please tell your love one to have light on their bicycle. We all get hurt in many different ways when accidents occur.

  3. Nina says:

    This tragic accident could be voidable if you had lights.
    I am sorry for those who love you and miss you but it also hurts me a big time. If this didn’t happened I don’t have to be up so late and questing myself do I deserve this punishment. Even it’s not my fault I have to seek for advise and help and have to tell other what happened and remind me what happened that night, I totally freaked out. How you blinked his eyes, the blood, shattered windshield, siren, it’s all pictured in my memory.
    I really want to vanish. Time will heal me but I will not forget that moments.
    I went to accident site next day, there were no trace of single blood and evidence like nothing happened. I really want to erase that night from my brain.

    • bikinginla says:

      Nina, I spoke with the officer in charge of the investigation, who assured me this wasn’t your fault, and there was nothing you could have done to avoid the collision.

      Normally I question the conclusions of police, and I’m always on the side quick to take the bike rider, but after talking with him, I agree with his conclusion. Even traveling at the posted speed limit, any collision with a pedestrian on that bridge would probably have been fatal.

      I strongly urge you to talk to someone about this. If you belong to a church, talk to your priest or minister; if your insurance covers it, see a counselor. If not, discuss it with a friend or family member. Yes, this is a terrible burden, but it is not your burden to carry in this case.

      You might also consider volunteering with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s Project Firefly, which distributes free lights to underprivileged bike riders. No one has to know why. It won’t bring Mr. Haro back, but it could save the life of someone else.

  4. nina says:

    I am still thinking about this accident time to time and go to scene.
    I try not to think about it because it make me sad and cry.
    Mr. Haro, I am so sorry…

Discover more from BikinginLA

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading