News broke within the last half hour that an eight-year old was killed riding his bike to school today.
According to the Orange County Register, Andrew Brumback, a 3rd grader at Sequoia Elementary School in Westminster, was riding with his sister when he was struck by an SUV driven by Anita Cherry of Westminster. The collision occurred at the intersection of Choctaw Drive and Iroquois Road at about 8 am today; he was pronounced dead at Huntington Beach Medical Center.
Unfortunately, there’s not enough information to speculate on how this collision may have occurred. However, the paper notes that the driver stayed at the scene and did not appear to be under the influence.
This is the fourth SoCal biking death this year, and the second in just two days.
My heart and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Thanks to Lois for the heads up.
Update: The Register has updated their story with additional information, including photo that can’t help but break your heart. Westminster police Cpl. Van Woodson was quoted as saying the driver was inconsolable, and that the accident is”too sad for words.”
I couldn’t agree more.
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a good boy.He followed the rules.He was a nice child. Rip Andrew he was my friend and will miss him.Good luck in heaven buddy. love Evangelina Sequioa Student
Dear Brumback,
I am sorry for your loss. I can not begin to image your pain. I knew Andrew he was a wonder child, His mother is a friend. May God be with you all and help you through this unbelievable pain. You will be in my prayers.
The world lost a gifted and bright little boy. I guess it’s true when they say god takes the good ones first. WE LOVE YOU DEARLY ANDREW. We will NEVER, forget you. You were like one of my sons. I am glad we had the chance to know you. We will remember you from all the sports and sleepovers with my son Jimmy M. May god bless the Brumback family.
[…] 4 Cyclists Already Killed in Greater L.A. in 2011 (Biking In L.A.) […]
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LoLaOC, Ted Rogers. Ted Rogers said: This one's just heartbreaking. OC 3rd grader killed riding his bike to school; 2nd SoCal bike death in 2 days: http://bit.ly/gk39QV #bikeCA […]
Note the quote in the OC Register:
“It reminds us that we have to pound bicycle safety into the brains of our little kids. We have to trust that they are out there watching out for that.”
Sure, but it is even more important to make sure that we “pound bicycle safety into the brains of” car drivers.
“The driver of a 2005 Ford Freestyle SUV was traveling southbound on Choctaw and the boy was riding westbound off the sidewalk on Iroquois”
Sounds like the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk and got hooked when entering the intersection. Without knowing the details, this may be an example of where riding in the roadway could be safer because that is where car drivers are trained to look. Car drivers look for pedestrians waiting at the edge of the crosswalk, not for cyclists coming through the crosswalk. That said, although the cyclist may not have been in the driver’s line of sight, drivers do have a legal requirement to fully look not just at the roadway but also the sidewalk.
I know the driver went to work the same day after this happened and acted like nothing happened. Who does that? It’s like she felt no remorse. What a heartless bitch. She got a slap on the wrist. Our judicial system is not fair at all.