Just a week after Encino cyclist Jim Swarzman was laid to rest, another cyclist has been killed by a hit-and-run driver, this time on the streets of Canoga Park.
In a case that brings to mind year’s tragic death of teenage rider Danny Marin, a 17-year high school senior identified as Alex Romero was struck and killed near the intersection of De Soto Ave and Valerio Street around 9 pm last night.
According to multiple reports, the Chatsworth High student was riding north with another 17-year old rider when Romero was struck from behind by a gray Toyota Corolla traveling at a high rate of speed, killing him instantly. The driver of the hatchback then fled the scene without stopping.
The two cyclists were reportedly riding side-by-side in the far right lane of De Soto when the collision occurred; reading between the lines, Romero evidently had the inside position while the other rider, who was uninjured, was positioned closer to the curb. KABC-7 reports that there were multiple witnesses to the wreck.
L.A. Weekly indicates that he was a star soccer player at El Camino High School, suggesting that he may have recently transferred since he’s identified as student at Chatsworth.
Police are looking for a gray — or possibly silver — Corolla with moderate to severe damage to the right front end. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Krajchir at (818) 644-8034 or email 26481@lapd.lacity.org. Anonymous calls can be made to Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
How many is that this year?
And what is their common geography? City, county, state?
So far I think only 1 bicyclist has died in Chicago this year. Our average is 4 per year.
Romero was the 24th cyclist killed in Southern California this year; 22 in traffic incidents or riding accidents and two by shootings while riding.
Of those, eight were killed in Los Angeles County. I don’t have any figures on the annual average of bicycling fatalities in L.A. alone.
Of those, 11 were the fault of the driver, 9 the cyclist was at fault, and 2 were unknown; in two of the collisions where the driver was at fault, poor infrastructure design may have been a contributing cause.
Four of the deaths were hit-and-runs; five involved drugs and/or alcohol, though we can safely assume at least some of the hit-and-runs were DUIs, as well.
At this rate, 83 cyclists will die in Southern California in 2011. That compares to an average of 100 deaths each year in all of California.
Update: Due to a database error, I originally said only two cyclists were killed in L.A. County; the actual figure so far this year is eight.
Cathy, please learn the Laws and rules of the road for bicycles before you say that the rules of the road were not being followed. First, nothing in the article indicated that lights and reflectors were not present. Second, the article did not say that helmets were not worn and is there a new California law requiring helmets to be worn by bicyclists? Third, riding two abreast is legal, riding single file is legal, though I prefer riding single file for wind resistance except when I am passing another bicyclist. “Cars” as you say or motor vehicle operators as is the correct terminology, are required to look out for objects, still or moving. Also, for your information a bicycle is defined as a human powered vehicle, the key word is vehicle, and as such is subject to all the same laws, and privileges of other vehicles. So sorry about that but you blew it on all counts. Next time try to get your facts straight before posting.
Jim, did I miss something? I don’t see any comment by a Cathy; did you see it somewhere else?
You’re right on all counts, except in California a bicycle is defined as a device, but given all the rights and responsibilities of other vehicles, as you note.
I backtracked by clicking on “There were multiple witnesses…”
Which led me to http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8085938&cmp=twi-kabc-article-8085938
Where I found:
12 cathy_narvaez 4/21/11 12:28 PM PDT
First, I’m sorry for the boy and his family and friends. My prayers are with you. However, there are rules for the road and they weren’t following them as stated in earlier posts – wear a helmet and light colored clothing, ride single file, have reflectors and a light on your bike, and be aware of traffic because cars aren’t looking out for you. RIP.””
That is where and what I was attempting to respond to.
Cathy, please learn the Laws and rules of the road for bicycles before you say that the rules of the road were not being followed. First, nothing in the article indicated that lights and reflectors were not present. Second, the article did not say that helmets were not worn and is there a new California law requiring helmets to be worn by bicyclists? Third, riding two abreast is legal, riding single file is legal, though I prefer riding single file for wind resistance except when I am passing another bicyclist. “Cars” as you say or motor vehicle operators as is the correct terminology, are required to look out for objects, still or moving. Also, for your information a bicycle is defined as a human powered vehicle, the key word is vehicle, and as such is subject to all the same laws, and privileges of other vehicles. So sorry about that but you blew it on all counts. Next time try to get your facts straight before posting.
Please handle this as you deem appropriate.
Looks like you handled already by providing a link to the original comment. Thanks — and thanks for sticking up for all of us.
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The Driver was Dominique Rush