The Orange County Register is reporting that a 44-year old Stanton woman was killed in a collision Friday night.
According to the paper, Deborah Gresham was riding her bike on Cerritos Ave east of Knott Ave at 7:35 pm when she was stuck by a vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The male driver, who has not been identified, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide.
Unfortunately, no other information is available at this time. No word on how the crash occurred, or why OC sheriff’s deputies appear to have taken the unusual step of arresting the driver at the scene.
A street view shows a five lane roadway with two lanes in each direction and a center turn lane, with a wide right lane where parking is prohibited.
Given the location east of the intersection, it’s possible that she was rear-ended, or could have been struck by someone entering or leaving a driveway..
This is the 63rd bicycling fatality in Southern California, and the 10th in Orange County; it’s also the third in Stanton in the past four years. That compares with 62 in SoCal this time last year, and 16 in Orange County.
Update: City News Service identifies the driver as Ricardo Hernandez Sandoval, who is being held on $100,000 bond on suspicion of felony hit and run, felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
A source in Orange County reports he was followed to his home by horrified witnesses, where he was arrested less than an hour after the crash.
Gresham was in the westbound lanes when she was struck, literally within sight of her home.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Register identifies her as the founder of a Walking Dead fan site on Facebook with 20,000 followers worldwide.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Deborah Gresham and all her loved ones.
Wow… This one hits really close to home, because my wife and I live in Stanton. It’s a small city, but we don’t know Deborah. Just the same, our deepest sympathies go to Ms. Gresham’s loved ones.
My wife and I have been good citizens of Stanton for about 23 years now. However, I have to say that it is probably the least bicycle-friendly city in Orange County. I could go on and on, but I truly hope that Ms. Gresham’s tragic death is a wake up call that motivates the city staff and citizens of Stanton to make some meaningful changes.
I ride a bike as well and I no longer ride in the street in certain areas. It’s just too damn dangerous out there now!
Our prayers go up for the family and friends of Ms. Gresham.
Ted – thanks for the update, as well as the original report. Like I wrote earlier, this one hits too close to home.
Years ago I used to ride westbound through the area late at night. I usually chose to take Ball road rather than Katella or Cerritos because it seemed to be safer. There are a lot of bars and liquor stores throughout the area. Thanks to the concerned witnesses for their courageous actions which led to the arrest.
I believe he was tracked down by the license plate number on his car.
yes a person took the lic# thank god..
Debbie was much more than an acquaintance and she will be sorely missed. I can assure you that this world has lost a treasure in her.
James, I’m very sorry for your loss. Debbie sounds like a wonderful person.
Would you be willing to talk to a writer about her? Someone I know and trust is working on an article for a national magazine about Debbie and the crash that took her life.
I can pass on the email address you used here, but only with your permission.
without hesitation or reservation I would be honored to
I can’t believe she’s gone. Debbie has helped me and a lot of others on her Walking Dead fan page. She was always willing to help others in need. RIP, may we meet again.
My deepest sympathies, Alisa. I am so sorry for your loss.
Would you be willing to talk to a writer about her? Someone I know and trust is working on an article for a national magazine about Debbie and the crash that took her life.
I can pass on the email address you used here, but only with your permission.
A witness to the incident reported that the driver of the car that struck the bicyclist was driving at least 100 MPH when he struck her broadside. She was thrown the distance of three houses from the point of impact. There is nothing anyone can do about foolish idiots who drink and drive drunk!
I am upset beyond upset as I find out the details on what happened. I hope people do not take this the wrong way, but is the driver of the car an illegal or undocumented.
I don’t mean to be rude in any way, but I don’t understand how a person being undocumented or illegal has anything to do with her death. Her death was a complete tragedy! No family should ever go through something that. I only met her a few times as I went to school with her kids.
It is a very reasonable question. Especially considering the graphic amt of crimes being committed by them
I would disagree about the reasonableness of the question. And no, he’s neither undocumented or in the country illegally.
nicky look i see no color ..its all about the family.. wrong or right.we all did i was born on brady ave..
This happend right outside my apt she lived across the street so sad we heard the crash thought it was two car colission went out side and saw no cars just a body laying there immediately called 911
Hi Jen, would you be willing to talk with a writer working on a story about this crash for a major national magazine? I can provide him with your email address, but only with your permission.
ive known debbie 37 years ill tel ya what u want to know
A GREAT LADY . and for the guy who was drunk and driving.. ill just say a prayer ..
Debbie was a nice caring person would do anything for ya / goes back years i know her mom dad and sisters and her kids and her husband . this strikes close to my heart and im. glad i dont act on things that i want to ………lets say paul im thinking about ya and the kids ………..linc here ……