Tag Archive for San Diego County

79-year old man killed riding bike in San Marcos collision last week; 10th San Diego County bike death this year

September 26, 2022 / / One comment

I may have taken last week off to deal with health issues.

But SoCal drivers didn’t.

Multiple sources reported that a 79-year old man suffered life-threatening injuries when he was struck by a driver while riding his bike in San Marcos last Tuesday.

Sadly, he died later after being taken to a hospital.

The collision occurred around 9:15 am September 20th at San Marcos Blvd and Via Vera Cruz.

The victim has not been identified, though The San Diego Union-Tribune speculates he may have been a resident of San Marcos.

The driver was identified only as a 23-year old Fallbrook man; he was not suspected of being under the influence.

Unfortunately, there’s no information on how the crash happened, or who may have been at fault. Or exactly where the crash occurred, though a street view appears to show bike lanes in every direction.

What is clear is that someone who can ride a bicycle at that age deserves better.

Then again, we all do.

Anyone with information is urged to call San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Dana at 760/510-5259, or email Jerry.Dana@sdsheriff.org.

This is at least the 67th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 10th that I’m aware of in San Diego County. It’s also the second fatal bike crash in San Marcos this year.

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

Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

Update: 82-year old man murdered by hit-and-run driver in San Diego’s Rolando Village; 5th San Diego County bike death this month

August 26, 2022 / / 6 comments

Unbelievable.

Yet another person has been killed while riding a bike on the mean streets of Southern California.

And once again, a heartless coward fled the scene.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, an 82-year-old man was riding in the bike lane on the 4400 block of College Ave near Adelaide Ave in San Diego’s Rolando Village neighborhood, when he was run down by a driver around 2:55 pm.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was struck from behind when the driver made an unsafe move to the right, hitting his bicycle with the right front of her massive Cadillac SUV.

He was taken to a nearby hospital with multiple injuries, and died sometime after arrival.

At his age, he deserved far better.

The 52-year old driver fled the scene, but was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run when she returned an hour later.

Anyone with information is urged to call 858/495-7800, or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888/580-8477.

This is at least the 61st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in San Diego County, including five just this month.

Twenty of those deaths have been at the hands of hit-and-run drivers.

Update: I received the following email Saturday morning; I’m withholding the sender’s name to protect her privacy.

This is the cost of traffic violence.

The article about an 82 year old bicyclist being murdered in Rolando Village on August 25th was my dear sweet church friend George.

I have known him for years.

He was STILL doing construction work and kept busy and never missed church.

At our church we all sit and eat together on Sundays after church service. I had lunch with George about 3 weeks ago.

He was telling me after 80 years old the DMV makes it hard to renew your license. That’s why he was riding his bicycle.

I am absolutely crushed to hear of his death.

Here I am up half the night thinking about him. It is 4 a.m. and I am googling articles to see what all happened. I can not believe this happened. All it takes is a few seconds and he is gone and families changed forever, including the driver’s.

George H. was the kindest man. Although the situation is maddening and disheartening, he would never want the driver to suffer for this.

I know George and knew how he was and he had a heart of gold. One time he employed a newly-made friend of mine who was homeless. The homeless man relinquished his  2 dogs to me to be able to get them off the street. When I told George about this stranger’s plight he hired the man in a blink of an eye. He was that way. A true Christian man. He will be greatly missed.

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

 

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

Update: Man riding bicycle killed by motorcyclist fleeing police near Carlsbad State Beach; 4th San Diego County death in 10 days

August 16, 2022 / / 4 comments

What the hell is going on in San Diego County?

For the first seven months of this year, it was one of the safest places to ride a bicycle in Southern California, with just four deaths.

Even though just one is one too many.

Yet the county has doubled that total in just the last ten days, with the latest death coming yesterday in Carlsbad, where the victim was collateral damage in a police chase.

According to multiple sources, the victim was killed when he was struck by a motorcyclist who was being chased by a state parks officer for speeding and reckless riding.

The crash occurred around 1 pm at Carlsbad Boulevard near Palomar Airport Road, either in or near Carlsbad State Beach.

The San Diego Union-Tribune places the crash near North Ponto Beach.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died at the scene, while both the 28-year old motorcyclist and his passenger, a 22-year old woman, were hospitalized with serious injuries.

There’s no word on when or where the pursuit started, or how fast the motorcyclist was going at the time of the crash.

However, it raises inevitable questions about the wisdom of police chases that place innocent people at risk, and whether a parks cop was properly trained in how to conduct a chase.

Anyone with information is urged to call Carlsbad Police Investigator Adam Bentley at 442/339-5559.

This is at least the 58th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

It’s also the 4th bicycling death in the county in the last ten days, and the second in Carlsbad.

Update: According to the Union-Tribune, the victim has been identified as 68-year old Solano Beach resident Brad Allen Catcott. 

Catcott was reportedly moving from the bike lane to a turn lane when he was run down by the fleeing motorcyclist, and succumbed to blunt force trauma. 

The paper reports Carlsbad Police referred questions to State Parks officials, who said there “is no new information to share with the public” ten days after the crash. 

Not that they’re trying to cover their collective ass or anything. 

My deepest prayers and sympathy for the Brad Allen Catcott and all his loved ones.

Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up. 

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

Woman killed walking bike across street in National City Wednesday; 3rd bike rider killed in San Diego County this week

August 12, 2022 / / One comment

The bad news just keeps on coming.

Multiple sources are reporting that a woman was killed walking her bike across the street in National City Wednesday morning, the third bike rider killed in San Diego County just this week.

The victim, identified only as a local transient, was apparently crossing Highland Avenue near 18th Street mid-block when she was struck by a 22-year old driver around 6:15 am.

She died at the scene, despite the efforts of paramedics.

The 22-year old driver remained at the scene following the crash, and cooperated with investigators.

This is at least the 57th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

73-year old man riding in Escondido bike lane fatally rear-ended by 69-year old driver

August 11, 2022 / / Comments Off on 73-year old man riding in Escondido bike lane fatally rear-ended by 69-year old driver

Another day, another person in Southern California killed while riding a bicycle.

This time in Escondido.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a 73-year old man was killed when he was rear-ended while riding in a bike lane on Broadway.

The crash took place on southbound Broadway approaching El Norte Parkway around 10:25 Thursday morning.

The victim, who hasn’t been publicly identified, died at the scene after being knocked onto the sidewalk.

There’s no word on whether the 69-year-old woman behind the wheel swerved into the bike lane, or if the victim left the bike lane for some reason. However, police don’t believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

The driver was hospitalized for non-life threatening medical care, though it was unclear if she was injured in the crash or was treated for some sort of health condition.

Anyone with information is urged to call Escondido Police Officer Pete McCollough at 760/839-4930.

This is at least the 56th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

35-year old woman riding ebike dies after collision with SUV driver in Carlsbad; her 16-month old daughter unhurt

August 9, 2022 / / Comments Off on 35-year old woman riding ebike dies after collision with SUV driver in Carlsbad; her 16-month old daughter unhurt

Because of last night’s breaking news, there will be no Morning Links today.

We’ll be back tomorrow to catch up on anything we missed. 

………

Three crashes. Three deaths. Three counties. Two hit-and-runs.

All in less than 20 hours.

A horrible weekend for the bicycling community finally concluded with the last of three innocent victims, who died simply because they rode their bicycles on Southern California streets.

Multiple sources are reporting that a young mother died after she was struck by the driver of a massive SUV in Carlsbad Sunday evening.

The 35-year old woman, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was riding an ebike with her 16-month old daughter when they were struck by the driver of a Toyota 4-Runner around 5:45 pm, near Basswood Ave and Valley Street.

She was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, and died the next afternoon. Her child appeared to be unhurt, but was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

At least the driver stuck around this time, unlike the other two crashes.

The 42-year old woman reportedly cooperated with police investigators, who don’t believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on how the crash may have occurred. A street view doesn’t offer any help, showing a pair of two-lane residential streets, controlled with a four-way stop.

Anyone with information is urged to call Carlsbad Police Corporal Matt Bowen at 442/339-2282.

This is at least the 54th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest prayers and sympathy for Christine Embree and all her loved ones.

Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up. 

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

Update: Ebike rider killed in collision in San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood, police quick to blame the victim

June 21, 2022 / / 9 comments

The bad news just keeps on coming.

The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that a 63-year old man riding a “battery-assisted bicycle” has been killed in a collision in San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood.

Evidently, they’ve never heard of an ebike.

According to police, the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding west on Harbor Drive near Beardsley Street around 9:30 this morning when he swerved to go around a box truck.

He reportedly struck the right front fender of a Dodge Charger traveling in the left lane, and was thrown across the car’s hood.

He died at the scene.

Police say there’s no evidence of intoxication, even though there’s not a single mention of a driver, as if the Charger was driving itself.

There’s also no word on how fast the driver was going; it seems unlikely that simply crashing into the side of the car would throw the victim over the hood.

There’s also no word on whether the truck was parked in the bike lane on Harbor or traveling in the right lane. And no explanation where the victim was riding prior to the crash.

This is at least the 45th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

He is also the seventh bike rider to die on SoCal streets just this month.

Update: Raw video from the scene shows the car, with a shattered windshield, but no visible damage on the right front side where police say the victim’s bike struck the car. 

I’m not embedding the video because it shows the victim’s body in the roadway covered by a tarp, as well as his broken bicycle. So be sure you really want to see that before you click the link. 

Thanks to T for the link. 

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

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

Woman killed attempting to walk bike across I-5 in San Diego’s Pacific Beach

May 17, 2022 / / 12 comments

Once again, someone with a bike has been killed on a SoCal Freeway.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a woman was struck by a driver while attempting to walk her bike across southbound Interstate 5 in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood.

The crash occurred around 9:30 am Tuesday, after she had been walking her bike on the shoulder of the freeway south of Garnet Ave.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died at the scene.

The driver stopped and cooperated with CHP investigators. Neither the driver or her passenger were injured.

No explanation was given for why she was walking her bike on the freeway, or why she tried to cross the freeway.

This is at least the 37th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

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

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

26-year old man on bicycle killed by ice cream truck driver in San Marcos crash; victim reportedly under the influence

March 24, 2022 / / Comments Off on 26-year old man on bicycle killed by ice cream truck driver in San Marcos crash; victim reportedly under the influence

At least the driver stuck around this time.

Several nearly identical sources are reporting a man riding a bike was killed by the driver of an ice cream truck in San Marcos Wednesday night.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Pico Ave and West Mission Road a little after 8 pm.

According to witnesses, the victim, identified only as a 26-year old man, was riding southwest across the intersection against a red light, when he was struck by the driver turning west onto Mission.

The only way that makes sense is if he was riding south on Pico, and was struck in a left cross when the driver turned with the left arrow, which would mean the driver had a red light.

He died at the scene.

San Diego sheriff’s deputies were quick to blame the victim, suggesting that he may have been under the influence, and said he wasn’t wearing a helmet.

There’s no word on why they suspect he was drunk, however. And as we’ve noted before, whether or not he had a helmet only matters if he died of a head injury, or if the collision might have been survivable with one.

That’s questionable, given that video from the scene shows it was a full-size food truck, rather than a smaller van, that hit him.

Use caution viewing the video, though, since it shows a blurred shot of the covered victim lying in the street next to his bike.

This is at least the 26th bicycling fatality in Southern California already this year, and the second that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

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

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

65-year old man killed in Solana Beach crash when his new ebike fell into traffic ; 1st San Diego County bike death this year

February 27, 2022 / / 2 comments

A man has been killed in a collision after falling off his ebike in Solana Beach Saturday afternoon.

According to multiple, nearly identical sources, the victim was riding north in the bike lane on Highway 101, above Lomas Santa Fe, when he somehow lost control of his ebike.

He fell into the traffic lane, and was struck by the driver of a slow-moving truck.

He did after being transported to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla.

The victim, publicly identified only as a 65-year old man, was reportedly attempting to pass a slower bike rider when his bike began to wobble. Fox-5 suggests it may have been his first ride on the newly purchased ebike.

There’s no word on why he may have struggled to control his bike. However, Phillip Young reports that the pavement has been pushed up by tree roots in some sections of the narrow painted bike lane, which could have destabilized his bike.

It’s also possible that he may have bumped or swerved to avoid the rider he was passing. Or could have simply lost control due to unfamiliarity with the new ebike.

The reports also don’t mention whether it a ped-assist or throttle controlled ebike, or his speed at the time of the crash, which also could have played a role.

Anyone with information is urged to call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at 858/565-5200.

This is at least the 18th bicycling fatality in Southern California already this year. Remarkably, though, it appears to be the first in San Diego County.

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

Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,
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