Update: Bike rider killed in early morning Victorville collision; SB County deaths already exceed total for all of last year

Yet another bicyclist has lost his life in Southern California, in what has been the worst start to the year in recent memory.

According to the Victor Valley News, a man with a bike was hit by an SUV around 2:30 this morning on the 13400 block of Mariposa Road, near the Southwest Gas Building.

First responders found a mangled bike next to the SUV, with the victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, still on the hood of the car; he was pronounced dead at the scene. The story says he was a pedestrian; however, while he may have been walking his bike, it’s not uncommon for police dispatches to refer to bicyclists as pedestrians.

A street view shows what appears to be a three lane road with two lanes eastbound and one headed west, with a center left turn lane. The photo included with the story appears to place the wreck in the westbound lane, next to the freeway.

No other details are available at this time.

This is the 22nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth in San Bernardino County; that compares with just three in the county for all of last year.

This has been the deadliest first two months of the year for at least the last six years. In fact, last year it took until  until May 27th to reach that level in the seven county SoCal region.

Update: The victim has been identified as 16-year old Victorville resident Cesar Machuca Jr. Anyone with information urged to call San Bernardino Sheriff’s Deputies Sahagun or Haynes at 760/552-6800.

Update 2: The Victor Valley News reports the high school junior, who they identify as a Hesperia resident, was on his way home from his girlfriend’s house when he was rear-ended by the SUV’s driver. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Cesar Machuca Jr. and his loved ones.

12 comments

  1. Randy says:

    Who is on a bike at 2:30 am? THAT is asking for trouble. Riding at night anymore is just not worth the risk, and riding between 9 pm and 5 am is particularly dangerous as drivers aren’t expecting to see a bike rider at these times and many just don’t or won’t see you. Many are also driving impaired after leaving the bars. Not a good idea to ride at night in So Calif!

  2. No need to blame the victim! For many low paid employees who work in the bar/restaurant business, a bike is their only transportation to get to and from work.

  3. Kate says:

    I agree with John — don’t jump to blaming the victim. I bike and I drive. As a driver, it is my responsibility to NOT drive impaired, to drive within the speed limit, and to respect the rights of others on the road.

    I am fortunate to have the choice of whether I bike or drive, depending on the situation. However, everybody doesn’t have that choice. And, wouldn’t it be sad if the only safe way to travel is enclosed in a 1,000 lb. box of metal?

    • Randy says:

      Sure you’re responsible. But we can hardly say that about a LOT of drivers who drive distracted (texting), have poor vision at night, use their cell or are flat out drunk at that time of night. That number is increasing due to a larger number of drivers, and as a percentage the number who drive impaired or distracted is growing. Many just don’t like cyclists because they perceive we don’t follow the rules of the road (which many don’t) and purposely will intimidate or even hit cyclists.

      I think it prudent to not take chances with these kinds of drivers…….they are going to “win” in any type of vehicle/bike accident.

      I prefer not to take that chance at night time.

  4. Here’s something that is missing from this conversation:

    My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s loved ones.

    RIP

  5. Miguel says:

    It isn’t about blaming anybody. I see it simply as a comment on riding a bike at night not being smart. If it is the only mode of transportation just use the sidewalks whenever possible (unlikely to see any pedestrians at night), and if no sidewalk is available use lights and reflectors to make yourself as visible as possible. Nothing is 100% safe, as much as we would like to make it so.

  6. JD says:

    We offer up our prayers for the family and friends of the victim.

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