Archive for Injuries and Fatalities

58-year old man struck and killed by two drivers on Crenshaw Blvd in South LA; one driver fled the scene

January 19, 2024 / / Comments Off on 58-year old man struck and killed by two drivers on Crenshaw Blvd in South LA; one driver fled the scene

Now they’re ganging up on us.

A man was killed trying to cross Crenshaw Blvd on his bicycle Wednesday night when he was struck by two drivers in rapid succession — one of whom fled the scene.

According to KTLA-5, the victim was attempting to cross Crenshaw from west to east, just south of Stocker Street, when he was struck by a driver traveling north on Crenshaw around 7:30 pm.

He was flung into the air, and was struck by a speeding driver, also heading north on Crenshaw, after hitting the pavement.

The first driver had the basic human decency to remain at the scene and attempt to aid the victim.

The second one didn’t.

The victim, identified only as a 59-year old man, died at the scene.

The story notes that he was crossing outside of a marked crosswalk, even though there is no requirement, or even an expectation, for people on bicycles to use one.

Police are looking for the driver of what witnesses described only as a sedan, which would likely have some front end damage. That doesn’t exactly give them a lot to go on.

As always, there is a standing $50,000 reward for any fatal hit-and-run in the City of Los Angeles.

Anyone with information is urged to call LAPD South Traffic Detective Ryan Moreno at 323/421-2500, or the South Traffic Watch Commander at 323/421-2577 or 1-877/527-3247.

This is at least the third bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; it’s also the first in the City of Los Angeles.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , ,

40-year old bike rider Alex Zavala died two months after October hit-and-run; 20th fatal SoCal bike hit-and-run last year

January 15, 2024 / / Comments Off on 40-year old bike rider Alex Zavala died two months after October hit-and-run; 20th fatal SoCal bike hit-and-run last year

This may be one of the saddest stories I’ve seen.

Late last month a crowdfunding campaign was posted online to help pay the funeral expenses for 40-year old Vladimir Zavala, who went by the name of Alex.

The page said Alex Zavala had died weeks after he was the victim of a hit-and-run while riding his bicycle.

But there were no details. No date for the crash, no location, no word on whether there was an arrest in the case.

It turns out that was because his family has no idea what happened or where.

According to a story from La Opinion, Zavala worked at a bicycle warehouse — likely meaning a bike co-op — and rode his bike everywhere, even spurning the car his mom bought for him.

But when Zavala didn’t come home one October night, his family searched for him everywhere, before eventually finding him lying in a coma in the intensive care unit of Los Angeles General Medical Center, suffering from head injuries, a broken his hip and missing his left eye.

His brother had to identify him, because he had come to the hospital with no identification.

It took a month for Alex Zavala to regain consciousness after the crash — then was somehow discharged despite bizarre ranting and speaking incoherently.

Then his mother came home from work one day in late December to find Zavala convulsing and bleeding from the ear; he died from a brain hemorrhage on December 20th.

If that was the end of it, that would be bad enough.

But the tragedy has been compounded because his family can’t conduct a funeral or bury Alex Zavala because they haven’t been able to get a death certificate, because the Medical Examiner’s office says they’re too backed up.

But I’m sure they’ll get around to it eventually.

To make matters even worse, the crowdfunding account was hacked, leaving Alex Zavala’s mother $25,000 in debt for his funeral expenses and burial plot.

A new crowdfunding campaign currently stands at a little more than $7,000 of the modest $8,500 goal. If you have a few extra bucks lying around, I can’t think of a better cause.

This was at least the 74th bicycling fatality in Southern California last year, and the 34th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; it may or may not have occurred in the City of Los Angeles.

At least 20 of those SoCal deaths have been at the hands of hit-and-run drivers.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Alex Zavala and all his loved ones.

Thanks to Dr. Nina Harawa for the heads-up.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Man killed riding bike in Hemet collision Saturday; driver arrested for DUI

January 15, 2024 / / Comments Off on Man killed riding bike in Hemet collision Saturday; driver arrested for DUI

That didn’t take long.

Just days after the year’s first fatal bicycling hit-and-run, we’ve now seen the first fatal DUI involving someone on a bicycle in Southern California.

According to the Hemet Police Department, the victim was struck by a driver traveling north on San Jacinto Street near El Nita Lane in Hemet around 6:30 pm Saturday.

The victim, described only as an adult man, was trapped under the vehicle when paramedics arrived; he died after being taken to a local hospital.

The driver was arrested for driving under the influence. There’s no word on their identity, or whether they are suspected of being drunk or on some other intoxicant.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Hemet Police Department at 951/765-2400, and ask for Traffic Officer N. Reineke or Corporal C. Nicot, reference report #2024-00245, or email nreineke@hemetca.gov or cnicot@hemetca.gov.

This is at least the second bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in Riverside County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: Man killed riding bicycle in Lennox hit-and-run last week; 1st confirmed SoCal bike death this year

January 14, 2024 / / 2 comments

So it begins.

A man riding a bicycle was killed in a hit-and-run in the unincorporated Lennox community of Los Angeles County last week.

Yet the only mention of the crash comes from a pair of legal websites, based on a CHP alert that’s not online anymore.

According to the sites, the victim was struck by a driver around 11:41 pm last Wednesday, January 10th, at the intersection of Hawthorne and Lennox boulevards.

The victim, described only as a man who appeared to around 40 years old, died at the scene.

The driver fled following the crash. The suspect vehicle was described as red Dodge Ram pickup truck; there’s no description of the driver at this time.

This is the first confirmed bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

It’s also the first fatal hit-and-run of the year.

Let’s hope the local media reports the next one, since they didn’t this time.

Update: The victim has been identified as 51-year old Cesar Hernandez. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Cesar Hernandez and his loved ones. 

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,

Update: 45-year old woman killed in Simi Valley collision while biking in crosswalk

December 29, 2023 / / 8 comments

More bad news leading into what should be a happy weekend.

The Simi Valley Police Department is reporting that a woman was killed in a collision while riding her bike Thursday afternoon.

According to a press release from the department, the victim, identified only as a 45-year old Simi Valley resident, was struck by a driver at Fitzgerald Road and Erringer Road around 1:46 pm yesterday.

She riding west in the crosswalk on the eastbound side of Fitzgerald, when she was struck by a driver traveling south on Erringer.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

It’s important to note that bicycles are allowed in crosswalks in California, and that all crosswalks are bidirectional.

The intersection is controlled with a four-way stop; there’s no word on whether one or both people properly observed the stop and right-of-way.

Simi Valley police investigators report neither party appeared to be impaired.

Anyone with information is urged to call Simi Valley Traffic Collision Investigator Eric Cooke at 805/583-6185, or email ecooke@simivalley.org.

This is at least the 73rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

There have been reports of at least two other deaths in this week in the Los Angeles area that remain unconfirmed.

Update: The victim has been identified as 45-year old Simi Valley resident Patricia Cooper. 

The vehicle the driver struck her with was a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, an oversized SUV with a high, flat grill virtually designed to kill.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Patricia Cooper and her loved ones.

Thanks to Linda Righetti for the heads-up.

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,

57-year old Brawley man riding motorized bicycle killed in Imperial collision; 1st Imperial County bike death in four years

December 28, 2023 / / 2 comments

We knew we wouldn’t make it through the holidays without some bad news.

It’s just surprising it came from sparsely populated Imperial County.

According to the Calexico Chronicle, a man riding a motorized bicycle was killed in a collision north of Imperial, California Wednesday evening.

The victim, identified as 57-year old Brawley resident Raymond Rosenbaum was riding north on Highway 86 south of Ralph Road when he was struck by the driver of a large Ford pickup around 5:20 pm.

Imperial police attempted to revive Rosenbaum after finding him lying near the left lane of the four lane divided highway, however, he died at the scene.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. There’s no word yet on how the crash may have happened.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Imperial Police Department at 760/355-4327.

This is at least the 72nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 1st that I’m aware of in Imperial County; this is also the first reported bicycling death in the county since 2019.

There have been reports of at least two other deaths in this week in the Los Angeles area that remain unconfirmed.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Raymond Rosenbaum and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,

66-year old man killed riding bicycle in Apple Valley collision; 2nd fatal San Bernardino County bike crash in two days

December 20, 2023 / / Comments Off on 66-year old man killed riding bicycle in Apple Valley collision; 2nd fatal San Bernardino County bike crash in two days

More bad news, just in time for the holidays.

The Victor Valley News Group is reporting that a man was killed riding his bicycle in Apple Valley Tuesday evening.

Although judging from the headline, they seem as concerned with the effect on traffic as the loss of a human life.

The victim, identified as 66-year old Apple Valley resident Gerald Duncan, was crossing Navajo Road north of Ottawa Road when he was struck by the driver of a southbound pickup around 5:48 pm.

He died at the scene.

The driver reportedly stopped after the crash, and cooperated with investigators.

Police appeared to blame Duncan for his dark clothing, rather than the 50 mph speed limit shown in the photo right next to his mangled bike. Or the single street light on the far side of the intersection.

Anyone with any information is urged to call San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy G. Dominguez or Deputy T. Arlotti at 760/240-7400, or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760/956-5001.

This is at least the 71st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

He was also the second bicyclist killed in the county in less than 48 hours.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Gerald Duncan and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Woman riding bicycle killed in Colton collision; at least the 70th SoCal bike rider killed this year

December 19, 2023 / / Comments Off on Woman riding bicycle killed in Colton collision; at least the 70th SoCal bike rider killed this year

This year just keeps getting worse.

The latest bad news comes from Colton, where a woman was killed riding her bike Sunday evening.

According to a minimalist report from the Fontana Herald, the victim was struck by a driver near Santo Antonio Drive and Washington Street at 7:10 pm Sunday.

She died at the scene. No identification has been released at this time.

The driver remained at the scene following the crash, and reportedly cooperated with investigators. However, no information was given about the driver, and there’s no word on how the crash occurred at this time.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know right now.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Officer Villalobos of the Colton Police Department at 909/370-5000.

This is at least the 70th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and her loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Elderly Oxnard man dies, weeks after he’s struck riding his bicycle

December 13, 2023 / / Comments Off on Elderly Oxnard man dies, weeks after he’s struck riding his bicycle

An elderly Oxnard man has died, over a month after he was left-crossed by a driver while riding his bicycle.

According to the Ventura County Star, 84-year old Oxnard resident Joseph Smart was riding east on West Fifth Street in Oxnard around 6:15 pm on Sunday, November 5th, when he was struck by a westbound driver turning left onto South K Street.

Oxnard police were told Tuesday about Smart’s death.

There’s no word on any tickets or charges; police don’t believe the driver was speeding or under the influence.

Evidently, killing someone through simple carelessness isn’t illegal anymore. However, the investigation is reportedly ongoing, so maybe there’s hope.

Anyone with information is urged to call Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at 805/200-5668, or email alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

But one thing is certain. Anyone who is still riding a bicycle at that age deserved better.

This is at least the 69th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of in Ventura County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Joseph Smart and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,

Update: Beloved Australian teacher killed riding ebike in Marina del Rey collision; death confirmed by victim’s family

December 12, 2023 / / 3 comments

I could just cry.

Yesterday, I posted a photo by Ian Dutton depicting the aftermath of a bicycling collision in Marina del Rey on Friday, (although I somehow mistakenly called it Santa Monica).

I added that I hoped the victim was okay, and linked to a TikTok video from the scene, in which the person who posted it prayed the victim would survive.

Sadly, our prayers weren’t answered.

In a comment to that post, Libby Starling, who identified herself as the victim’s sister-in-law, revealed that he didn’t make it.

The cyclist in the photo from Friday’s crash in Marina del Rey was my brother-in-law, Leland Dutcher, from Manhattan Beach. As you might anticipate from the damage to the windshield, he did not survive the impact. As you add him to your list of bicycle fatalities in Southern California, know that the world lost a great soul with his death.

I’m told by Streetsblog’s Joe Linton that the cash occurred where the beachfront Marvin Braude Bike Trail crosses Admiralty Way.

Right now, there’s no word on what time of day it happened, or why.

All we know from the photo — which I am not reposting here, since his loved ones are likely to see this — is that Dutcher’s white ebike came to rest in the right lane of what appears to be eastbound Admiralty Way, several yards in front of a stopped car with a smashed windshield, while firefighters tended to Dutcher in the middle of the roadway.

Hopefully, we’ll learn more soon.

This is at least the 68th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 33rd that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

And as Starling notes, we’ve lost a great soul, which is a tragedy for us all.

Update: An Australian news site offers more information about Leland Dutcher, describing him as a beloved teacher at an Adelaide college. He was here on leave from the school, and working as a content partner manager in Manhattan Beach.

Sadly, his father says he had just posted photos showing him riding along the beach the same day he was killed.

Update 2: I’m told the photo was taken around 2:15 pm Friday, which puts the crash sometime around 2 pm to 2:15 pm. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Leland Dutcher and all his loved ones. 

Thanks to Joe Linton, Libby Starling and David Drexler for the heads-up.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , ,
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