A bad week for Southern California bike riders got worse Thursday night, when a man riding a bicycle was killed in a collision in Fullerton.
According to the Fullerton Observer, quoting word-for-word from a press release from the Fullerton Police Department, the victim was struck by the driver of an SUV around 9:05 pm near West Orangethorpe Ave and Campus Drive, in the shadow of the massive 5 and 91 Freeway interchange.
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding “in an unknown direction” in the leftmost lane on eastbound Orangethorpe when he was struck by the 19-year old driver traveling “at an unknown speed.” He died at the scene.
The driver remained at the site following the crash, and police don’t believe he was under the influence at the time of the collision.
The awkward phasing that the victim was riding “in an unknown direction” suggests he could have been riding against traffic, or illegally riding with traffic in the left lane. However, it could also mean that he was simply attempting to cross the street when he was run down.
It also implies that the driver didn’t see the victim prior to impact, or he would have seen which way he was going.
Anyone with information is urged to call Fullerton Police Traffic Accident Investigator Manes at 714/738-6815, or email jmanes@fullertonpd.org.
This is at least the 15th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Orange County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.
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